Odyssey Chamber Music Series

Ayako Tsuruta, Artistic Director | piano

Ayako Tsuruta is Artistic Director of the Odyssey Chamber Music Series and Plowman Chamber Music Competition. As the winner of concerto competitions, she has appeared as soloist with the Juilliard Symphony, Eastern Connecticut Symphony and Connecticut Chamber Orchestra, as well as Wallingford Symphony Orchestra in the United States, and with University Symphony Orchestra in Edmonton, Alberta. She has also performed at summer festivals in Aspen, Banff, Ravinia and Tanglewood, Meranofest and Accademia Chiagiana in Italy, and Figueira da Foz in Portugal, as well as recitals in the United States, Canada, Germany, Lebanon and Serbia. Ms. Tsuruta studied with Leena K. Crothers at the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, Josef Raieff at Juilliard School, Claude Frank at Yale University, Maria Curcio-Diamand in England, and Marek Jablonski at University of Alberta. She has studied chamber music with Joseph Fuchs, Felix Galimir, Jacob Lateiner, and Harvey Shapiro to name a few. Ms. Tsuruta has taught as Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and at the University of Missouri, as well as at the Hartwick College Summer Music Institute and Festival in Oneonta, New York. She is currently on faculty at the New York Summer Music Festival www.nysmf.org. More information: www.ayakotsuruta.com.

Edward S. Rollins,Executive Director | CHE

Ed Rollins is entering his 25th year with the Columbia Handbell Ensemble. A co-founder of the ensemble, he has served as president of the board of directors, bass bell ringer, middle bell ringer, interim conductor and conductor. When not ringing, Ed is in his 26th year as Associate Pastor for Music and Administration at First Baptist Church of Columbia. He is a graduate of William Jewell College (BS in Church Music) and received a Master of Church Music degree from Southern Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. While in Columbia, Ed has promoted numerous ecumenical musical ventures, sung with the University of Missouri Show-Me-Opera, and acts as Executive Director of the highly acclaimed Odyssey Chamber Music Series. In addition to his work with the CHE, Ed has been active in leadership roles for the Handbell Musicians of America (formerly known as AGEHR), serving as Missouri State Treasurer, Missouri State Chair, Chair of Area VIII (Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska), and member of the national Board of Directors. Ed is currently serving as national President of the Handbell Musicians of America. He has also served as clinician/ coordinator/conductor for handbell events in 20 states. In his spare time, Ed is a member of the six time national triathlon club champions, the Columbia Multisport Club. He enjoys chasing his dog and cats, gardening and Mizzou athletics. Ed is married to Deb Carr and they have two children, and a new son-in-law.

﻿*NEW* ﻿Odyssey Performance Fellows

Iskander Akhmadullin, trumpet (Season 1-4, 6-9+, 11)

Iskander Akhmadullin, Associate Professor of Trumpet at the University of Missouri holds degrees from the Kazan Music College, the Moscow State Conservatory, and the University of North Texas. His major teachers were Abbas Slashkin, Vadim Novikov, Leonard Candelaria, and Keith Johnson. Dr. Akhmadullin has performed in several professional orchestras in Russia and the United States and can be heard on the Marco Polo, Naxos, Hugo, Klavier, and Delos labels. He is a co-principal trumpet of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra Iskander Akhmadullin has performed as a soloist and as a member of various groups in the United States, Russia, Australia, Japan, Austria and Germany. Active as both a recitalist and a chamber musician, he has premiered a number of solo and chamber works and is continuously introducing new trumpet pieces by American composers to Russian audiences, while also presenting the American premieres of the works from the Russian trumpet repertoire. Mr. Akhmadullin was among the first Russian trumpet players to perform on the baroque trumpet. Professor Akhmadullin has been a member of the National Trumpet Competition and the Midwest Trumpet Festival faculties; he has performed at numerous festivals and conferences, including the Moscow Autumn Festivals, ABA, CBDNA, WASBE, Texas and Missouri Music Educators Associations conventions, Russian Trumpet Guild and the International Trumpet Guild Conferences. Prior to joining the University of Missouri faculty, Iskander Akhmadullin taught at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He is an Artist-Clinician for Edwards Trumpets.

Amy Kuhlmann Appold, violin (Season 1, 2, 7-10+, 11)

Amy Kuhlmann Appold, violinist, has performed in major concert halls, venues, and festivals throughout the United States and abroad. As a founding member and first violinist of the Maia String Quartet from 1990-2005, she appeared at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and Clark Studio Theatre, the Kennedy Center, the American Academy in Rome and Harris Hall of the Aspen Music Festival as well as numerous major concert series. Her chamber music career has also included world premiere performances and recordings of music by Pierre Jalbert, Jeffrey Mumford, Donald Grantham, and Ingram Marshall among others, as well as collaborations with noted chamber musicians violist Michael Tree of the Guarneri Quartet, violinist Peter Zazofsky of the Muir Quartet, flutist Samuel Baron and pianist Ann Schein. Ms. Appold has also performed as recitalist throughout the United States and as soloist with the Columbus and Acadiana Symphony Orchestras. Ms. Appold has served on the faculties at the University of Iowa, and at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where the Maia Quartet held positions of Quartet-in-Residence. She received her musical training at the Eastman School of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, The Peabody Conservatory and the Juilliard School. Ms. Appold lives in Columbia, where she maintains a studio of private violin students.

*Mr. Babayan was one of the three judges for the 7th Plowman Chamber Music Competition, sponsored by the MU Chancellor's Distinguished Visitors Program.Hailed for his emotional intensity, bold energy and remarkable levels of color, Sergei Babayan brings a deep understanding and insight to a stylistically diverse repertoire, which includes a performance history of 54 concertos. Le Figaro has praised his "unequaled touch, perfectly harmonious phrasing and breathtaking virtuosity." Highlights of the 2014/2015 season include performances in Lugano with Martha Argerich; a return to the Verbier Festival, where he debuted in July 2014; and a performance at Wigmore Hall. In the 2013/2014 concert season, Sergei Babayan and his star student Daniil Trifonov played several concerts in duo performing the music of Schubert, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov, Rimsky-Korsakov and Prokofiev. Mr. Babayan is a frequent guest at music festivals in Europe and the US. In July 2013, he was invited by Martha Argerich to her festival "Progetto Martha Argerich" in Lugano, Switzerland. The two artists performed a newly created cycle of transcriptions for two pianos by Babayan from Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet". The concert was broadcast live, and Ms. Argerich invited Mr. Babayan to perform the transcription with her again at the Klavier-Festival in Ruhr, Germany. Babayan has collaborated with such conductors as Yuri Temirkanov, Neeme Jarvi, Hans Graf, David Robertson, Tugan Sokhiev, and Kazimierz Kord, among others. Since 2006, Babayan has performed with Valery Gergiev numerous times to great critical acclaim, including appearances at the International Festival “Stars of the White Nights”, the Moscow Easter Festival, the Barbican with Mo. Gergiev conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, in St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Théâtre des Champs-Elyseés in Paris, at the Salzburg Festival, and at the Rotterdam Philharmonic-Gergiev Festival where Babayan was artist-in-residence. For more information: www.opus3artists.com/artists/sergei-babayan

Michael Bancroft, organ (Season 11)

Michael Bancroft has played the organ at First Presbyterian Church for over 33 years. He taught English at Rock Bridge High School for 27 years to support his musical avocation! In recent years he served two terms as the dean of regional chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Andrew Bell, bassoon (Seasons 2, 7, 8, 11+)

Andrew Bell is a native of Columbia, Missouri. While attending Hickman High School, Andrew studied under Albie Micklich, Gabriel Beavers, and Lecolion Washington of the University of Missouri, as well as filling in for the University’s Philharmonic. Andrew was a member of a Missouri All-State ensemble all four years in high school. After completing his freshman year at the University of Missouri, Andrew completed his Bachelors of Music degree at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. There he studied under William Buchman and Robert Barris. At DePaul, Andrew was a member of the Wind Ensemble, as well as the DePaul Symphony Orchestra, culminating in a performance of the Rite of Spring at Chicago’s Symphony Center under the baton of Cliff Colnot. Andrew has performed in masterclasses with Loren Glickman, Mark Popkin, Daniel Matsukawa, David McGill, Lewis Kirk, among others. Andrew now lives in Columbia, close to family and friends. While remaining an active orchestral bassoonist in the community, Andrew focuses most of his efforts on the advancement of free improvisation and integrating the bassoon in new musical territories.

Natalia Bolshakova, piano (Season 8, 9+, 11)

Natalia Bolshakova studied at the Moscow Conservatory and the University of North Texas. She has been a prizewinner in many competitions, including the New Orleans International Piano Competition and the Ima Hogg Young Artist International Competition. Dr. Bolshakova has performed as a soloist with orchestras across the United States and in Europe. In 1997, she was sited by the BBC Music Magazine as "one of the most promising musicians of the younger generation." In August 2005, she premiered Souvenirs for piano written for her by James Wintle at the Nancyphonies Festival in Nancy, France. Equally successful as a chamber musician, Dr. Bolshakova has been actively collaborating with vocalists and instrumentalists. The Gramophone magazine listed two Crystal Records albums of the trumpeter John Holt with Natalia Bolshakova among the best new recordings from North America in 2005.

Sam Copeland, double bass (Season 9-11)

Sam Copeland is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in double bass performance. He has performed with the Billings Symphony Orchestra, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, the University of Missouri Philharmonic, as well as performing with the University of Missouri Chamber Soloists as principal bassist. Sam is currently studying bass with former Kansas City Symphony member Sue Stubbs. He has also studied briefly with former New York Philharmonic principal bassist Eugene Levinson at the Èlan International Music Festival. Also a dedicated jazz bassist, Sam is currently studying jazz bass with Kevin Hennessy. He performs regularly with the University of Missouri Concert Jazz Band as well as the Lily Tan Trio.

Alice K. Dade, flute (Season 9-11)

Alice K. Dade is an award winner of the Olga Koussevitsky Wind Competition of the Musicians Club of New York and The New York Flute Club Competition. She can be heard performing Principal Flute with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra on Deutsche Grammophon with Bryn Terfel as soloist. As Acting Co-Principal Flute of the SRSO, Alice performed in concert tours to Russia, Germany, Italy, and Belgium under conductors Valery Gergiev, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Daniel Harding. She has also performed as Guest Principal Flute with the Bergen Philharmonic and Philharmonia Mexico, and Guest Piccolo with the St. Louis Symphony. She has also performed with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Oregon Symphony. Recent solo appearances with orchestra include performing with Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil Red de Escuelas de Música de Medellín, PRIZM Chamber Music Festival, and the Festival Mozaic Orchestra. As a chamber musician, Alice is Principal Flute of Festival Mozaic and Artist Faculty of the Medellín Festicámara. She has performed with the Concordia Chamber Players, Summerfest of Kansas City, Odyssey Chamber Series and with various ensembles at the National Flute Association Convention. As a fellow of the New World Symphony under Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas, Alice is featured in the book: Feast For the Senses: A Musical Odyssey by Lin Arison and photographer Neil Folberg. Prose, photography, and DVDs document Alice and fellow orchestra members in their chamber music performances throughout the Umbria region of Italy. Alice joined the faculty at the University of Missouri School of Music as Visiting Assistant Professor of Flute in 2011 and begins the 2013/14 academic year as Assistant Professor. She is the Assistant Program Chair of the 2014 National Flute Association Convention in Chicago and a member of the NFA Career and Artistic Development Committee. A columnist of Chicago Flute Club’s magazine Pipeline since 2011, Alice has also been published in Flute Talk Magazine. Honored with the Young Artist Award upon graduation from Interlochen Arts Academy, Ms. Dade received her undergraduate and masters degrees from Juilliard, where she studied with Robert Langevin, Carol Wincenc, and Sandra Church.

The Deciduous Trio was formed in the summer of 2012 during the Texas Music Festival. Ms. Cowan, is a current graduate student at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, and Ms. Strange, and Ms. Mientka are recent masters graduates. At the Shepherd School, the trio participated in several chamber music recitals, and master classes. After being together for only a year, in April 2014 the Deciduous Trio were semi-finalists for the Coltman Chamber Music Competition in Austin, TX. In addition, they were offered a two week chamber music residency at Avaloch Farm Institute in New Hampshire in August 2014. While at Avaloch, they rehearsed daily to learn new repertoire, performed several concerts, participated in community outreach, and also recorded a demo CD at a local recording studio. In the fall, they were featured artists on the Western Slope Concert Series in Colorado. This gave them the opportunity to share their music with the communities of Grand Junction and Montrose and give a masterclass at Colorado Mesa University. As an emerging chamber group, the Deciduous Trio is committed to exploring and expanding the repertoire for their ensemble. Ms. Strange and Ms. Cowan are also active individual freelance musicians in the Houston area, and Ms. Mientka recently relocated to the Denver area to play in the Boulder and Colorado Springs Philharmonic orchestras.

Elizabeth Dingman, English horn (Season 9-11)

Elizabeth Dingman hails from Kansas City, Missouri, and has been playing the oboe for nine years. She has enjoyed playing oboe and English horn in the pit orchestra for musicals such as The Music Man, My Fair Lady, and Jeckyl and Hyde, the Park Hill High School Symphonic Band, the Missouri All-State Band, the Kansas City Youth Symphony, and the Columbia Civic Orchestra. She has studied previously with Jann Mills and Christina Moll, and currently studies with Dan Willett. Elizabeth is currently a junior at the University of Missouri, studying Music Performance and International Studies with an East Asian emphasis. She currently plays with the University Philharmonic Orchestra.

Darry Dolezal, cello (Season 1-4, 7, 8, 10, 11)

Darry Dolezal's concert career has taken him to most major cities in the United States as well as several musical centers abroad. From 1991 to 1995 he toured North America with the Artaria Quartet of Boston, named one of the world's ten best young string quartets at the 1992 Banff International String Quartet Competition. His solo and chamber music performances have been broadcast on CBC radio and television in Canada, the ABC Nightly News with Peter Jennings, TV Cultura in Brazil, Minnesota Public Radio, WFMT in Chicago, and WGBH in Boston. His performances can be heard on Centaur, Albany, CRI and Capstone Records. Professor Dolezal is interested in contemporary music and has premiered more than one hundred works, including several commissions and dedications. He co-founded the Warebrook Contemporary Music Festival in Vermont and served as its artistic director for two years. As a teacher, he has presented master classes in many universities and conservatories in the U.S. and abroad. He has received several awards and grants, including a Rural Residency Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Professor Dolezal attended the University of Kansas, where he earned his bachelor's degree in cello performance with highest distinction and received the coveted Presser Award. He studied cello and chamber music at the Aspen and Roundtop Music Festivals and earned a master's degree from the Peabody Conservatory. Professor Dolezal's principal teachers have been Raymond Stuhl, Edward Laut, and Yehuda Hanani. His chamber music coaches and mentors include members of the Juilliard, Guarneri, and American string quartets, and such notable musicians as Leon Fleisher, Eugene Lehner, Menachem Pressler, and Leonard Shure. Professor Dolezal came to the University of Missouri from Viterbo College. He has been a visiting Artist/Lecturer at Boston College, Boston University, Florida State University, Georgia State University, the University of Kansas, and the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory. At MU, Professor Dolezal is cellist in the Esterhazy Quartet, ensemble-in-residence at the University, teaches cello and a low strings techniques class, and coaches string chamber ensembles. He is also the founder and director of the MU Cello Choir.

Daniel Edwards, percussion (Performance Fellow, Season 11)

Daniel Edwards is a performer, an educator, and an advocate for world music. He received a bachelor’s degree in music from Brigham Young University- Hawaii, and is currently studying to receive a master’s degree in percussion performance and certificates in jazz studies and music entrepreneurship from the University of Missouri. He has performed with many groups, including the North Shore Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Missouri Symphony, the Columbia Hand Bell Ensemble, and the Latin Rock group La Movida. Along with orchestral percussion, he performs on the steel pan, the marimba, and a variety of world instruments. He has toured and performed in regions of the United States, Europe, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia. Besides performing, Daniel has taught beginning music skills to children in Kosovo, and currently teaches percussion at the University of Missouri. He also spent two years serving as a full time volunteer in Guatemala, where he taught life skills to families and assisted in many service projects. He hopes that his work will expose audiences around the world to new and unfamiliar genres of music, as well as promote quality music education for students from every background of life. ​

Lily Farnen, violin (Season 8-11)

Lily Farnen is a 12th grade honor student at Rock Bridge High School. She is a graduate of the Missouri String Project and is concertmaster of the Missouri Symphony Conservatory Young Artists Philharmonic and the Rock Bridge Chamber Orchestra. Lily was accepted to play at the New York Summer Music Festival in Oneonta, NY in 2011-2013, where she performed in both Chamber and Symphony Orchestras. She was one of three violinists to receive recognition for excellence. Lily recently played with Missouri Symphony Orchestra in 2014 Hot Summer Nights Festival. Lily received I ratings in violin in the 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Missouri Teachers Association Pre-Collegiate Honors State Auditions, the 2011 MYO / MMAMTA Pre-Collegiate Concerto Competition and the 2011 Central Methodist University Music Festival. This is the fourth year Lily will be performing in the Odyssey Chamber Music Series Baroque concert. Lily began studying the violin at age 8. She is a student of Amy Appold and studied music theory with Ayako Tsuruta. Lily is the daughter of Mark and Eleanor Farnen.

Dustin Frieda, viola (Season 9-11)

Dustin Bennett Frieda, violist, has performed extensively as a chamber musician and soloist throughout the United States and Western Europe. With degrees in performance and education from the University of Missouri, Frieda is committed to the spread of string education programs throughout Columbia and Mid-Missouri. Frieda currently directs the Missouri Youth Orchestra, the Columbia Public School's Honor Orchestra, and works as a music education specialist at Thomas Hart Benton S.T.E.M. Elementary. Frieda's principal viola studies were with Leslie Perna and Donald McInnes.

Julia Gaines, percussion (Season 1-11)

Dr. Julia Gaines is the Director of School of Music and Percussion Studies at the University of Missouri. She received her DMA from the University of Oklahoma, her MM as well as a Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, and her BM from the Lawrence Conservatory of Music. She has performed internationally in Russia, Japan, England, Wales, Brazil, and China and gave her solo debut in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in March 2007. Recent performances include a solo recital at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music last summer and guest soloist with the Kansas City Youth Percussion Ensemble at the National Conference of Percussion Pedagogy. As a pedagogue, she published her first book, Sequential Studies for Four-Mallet Marimba – Level 1, as part of a series dedicated toward the beginning and intermediate marimbist. She presented fundamental four-mallet marimba clinics at PASIC 2013 in Indianapolis and the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago as a result of the popularity of this book. A member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) for twenty+ years, she currently serves on their Board of Directors and is an Associate Editor for Percussive Notes with the primary responsibility of Review Editor. She proudly endorses Vic Firth sticks and mallets, Pearl/Adams percussion, Sabian cymbals, and Remo drumheads.

Siri Heglund Geenen, violin (Season 2-11)

Siri Heglund Geenen, received her Bachelor of Music in violin performance from Northwestern University and her Master of Music in violin performance and Suzuki pedagogy from the University of Colorado. Siri was the first violinist with the Viardot String Quartet which was the winner of both the MTNA National Chamber Music Competition as well as the Young Musician's Foundation of Colorado Chamber Music Competition. Siri has attended the Congress of Strings, Snowbird Chamber Music Festival, the Chautaqua Music School Festival as well as the Meadowmount School of Music. She has played violin with the Spoletto Festival Orchestra, the National Repertory Orchestra, the Colorado Symphony, the Central City Opera Orchestra, the Boulder Philharmonic and the Greeley Philharmonic. Currently Siri lives in Columbia, Missouri with her husband Rich and two daughters, Solveig and Linnea. She is the concertmaster of the Columbia Civic Orchestra,which toured Austria March of 2009. Siri also is the first violinist of the Prairie String Quartet, and was a member of Missouri Symphony Orchestra in the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival. Siri maintains an active Suzuki violin studio out of her home in Columbia.

Steve Geibel, flute (Season 8-11+)

Steven Geibel received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Illinois, the Master of Music degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and has completed additional graduate study at Florida State University in Tallahassee. His principal teacher was Charles Delaney, and he has performed in masterclasses with Marcel Moyse, Michel Debost, and Robert Willoughby. Professor Geibel has held office in the National Flute Association and performed as soloist at the 15th and 22nd NFA conventions. He is a founding member of the Missouri Quintet, ensemble-in-residence at the University, which made its Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1989 and performs both in the U.S. and abroad. The quintet completed its third compact disc recording released in 2001. Professor Geibel performs on the Baroque flute as well as the modern flute.

Erik Hassell, violin (Season 5-11)

Erik Hassell is a graduate student at the University of Missouri where he studies violin with Eva Szekely. He holds the String Area teaching assistantship in the MU School of Music where he teaches applied violin and an upper strings method course. He has won MU’s Emerging Artists competition where he performed in MU's Jesse Hall, lower division Missouri Music Teacher's Association (MMTA) in 2007, upper division in 2008, graduate division in 2012 and received runner-up in 2013, the Music Teacher's National Association (MTNA) audition in 2009, where he continued to win Alternate in the West Central Division level in January 2010, as well as winning Alternate at the MTNA state level in 2010 and 2011. At MU, he teaches third and fourth grade strings in the Missouri String Project, maintains a violin studio, and participates in the University Philharmonic Orchestra, the Columbia Civic Orchestra, and the Mizzou Chamber Soloists. Mr. Hassell has participated in the Hot Summer Nights Music Festival with the Missouri Symphony under Maestro Kirk Trevor since 2009 and performs in recitals and concerts with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series. Mr. Hassell is a native of Kansas City where he has studied with Suzanne Nigro, Maria Maxwell, Paul Hatton, Dr. John Rutland, and Elizabeth Suh-Lane. He has performed in Master Classes for Victor Danchenko, Benny Kim, Evgeni Ratchev, Ida Kavafian, Mathias Tacke, Susan Jensen, Xiaoxiao Qiang, and Silvian Iticovici.

Peter Henderson, piano (Season 11)

A versatile pianist, Peter Henderson is active as a performer in solo, chamber, and orchestral settings. Mr. Henderson is currently Associate Professor of Music and Artist-in-Residence at Maryville University in Saint Louis, where he has served on the faculty since fall 2005. He performs frequently as an ensemble keyboardist with the Saint Louis Symphony, and made his debut as a subscription-concert soloist with that orchestra in January 2008. Over the past several seasons, he has often given pre-concert lectures from the Saint Louis Symphony's Powell Hall stage. Peter Henderson has been an orchestral and chamber keyboardist with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony since its 2004 season, and has coached chamber music ensembles at the week-long SoCal Chamber Music Workshop most summers since 2001. In 2003, he was a winner of the Saint Louis-based Artist Presentation Society's auditions. Mr. Henderson holds the degree Doctor of Music from Indiana University-Bloomington (having studied piano there with Dr. Karen Shaw); before attending IU, Mr. Henderson studied piano at the University of Idaho-Moscow with Dr. Jay Mauchley. Peter Henderson’s ongoing musical partnerships include the Ilex Piano Trio, featuring Saint Louis Symphony musicians Kristin Ahlstrom, violinist (his lovely wife), and Anne Fagerburg Jacob, cellist. Mr. Henderson is an advocate of new music, having given several premieres of solo piano and chamber works. In recent years, Mr. Henderson has played solo recitals focused upon works of a single composer: during the 2011-12 season, he performed the 32 piano sonatas of Beethoven; in November and December 2012, he presented the complete piano works of Debussy; and in November 2013, he played Chopin’s 27 Études in a single concert. He and Kristin live in Saint Louis with their lively, sweet beagle/dachshund/terrier Zinni.

Bill Kalinkos, clarinet (Season 11)

Originally from Queens, New York City, clarinetist Bill Kalinkos is the newly appointed Visiting Assistant Professor of Clarinet at MU. He has been called "a powerhouse" (San Francisco Chronicle), "a superb performer" (San Jose Mercury News), and his playing has been lauded as "ethereal, yet grounded" (Oakland Tribune). His performance of Aaron Copland's Concerto was praised in the Oakland Tribune: "Kalinkos played casually, with the mysterious ease one hears in an accomplished musician." Bill enjoys a diverse musical career as a member of critically acclaimed groups such as Alarm Will Sound, Ensemble Signal, Deviant Septet, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, Eco Ensemble, and Splinter Reeds. Recognized by the Washington Post as a "notable contemporary music specialist," he has been fortunate enough to work with and premiere pieces by many renowned composers. As an orchestral player, Bill is the principal clarinetist of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, a member of both IRIS Orchestra and the New Hampshire Music Festival Orchestra, and he has performed with The Philadelphia Orchestra and The Cleveland Orchestra. He received his BM from the Eastman School of Music, MM from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and his DMA from Stony Brook University. Prior to his appointment at Mizzou, Bill served on the faculty of the University of California at Santa Cruz and Berkeley. As a recording artist, he can be heard on the Cantaloupe, Nonesuch, Euroarts, Naxos, Mode, Orange Mountain, Albany Records, and Deutsche Gramophon labels.

Kara LaMoure, bassoon (Season 11)

Photo by Daniel Brenner of Columbia Tribune

Kara LaMoure joins the School of Music faculty in August 2014 as Assistant Professor of Bassoon. Kara received a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, where she studied bassoon with Christopher Millard and Lewis Kirk. While there, she also served as general manager for the chamber music program. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree and Arts Leadership Certificate at the Eastman School of Music, where her primary teacher was John Hunt. In the spring and fall of 2013, Kara was Acting Associate Principal Bassoon for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. She is currently an associate of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. In 2013 Kara joined YOA Orchestra of the Americas for their Central American tour, which offered her the opportunity to work with students and professionals from Panama to Belize. As an educator, she has enjoyed coaching youth orchestras and student bassoonists in the United States, Central America, and New Zealand. Her bassoon quartet, The Breaking Winds, has completed their first CD and it includes tunes by Lady Gaga and The Beatles – definitely worth checking out!

Jaron Lester, horn (Season 11)

Jaron Lester, French Horn performance, currently studies Performance with Dr. Marcia Spence at the University of Missouri where he is pursuing a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting and a Master of Music in French Horn Performance. For the past fourteen years, Mr. Lester has been honing his skills on the French Horn, studying with Dr. Spence at the University of Missouri and taking master classes with world-renowned horn players such as St. Louis Symphony’s Thomas Jöstlein and University of North Texas Professor William Scharnberg. In 2012, he received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Missouri and subsequently became a band director in southwest Missouri. As a band director, Mr. Lester always stressed the importance of musicianship in all aspects of his students’ playing and he modeled these ideas as the principal hornist for the Ozark Festival Orchestra and Taneycomo Festival Orchestra. As a performer, Mr. Lester can be heard playing any number of works throughout the year with ensembles such as the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra in Branson, MO, the Ozark Festival Orchestra in Monett, MO, and the University Philharmonic Orchestra right here in Columbia. Solo and chamber performances can also be heard during recitals or at competitions such as MMTA and MTNA. His ability to convey musical ideas has lead to great success as a conductor, as well. In addition to his role as a band director, Mr. Lester has been asked to guest conduct a number of ensembles ranging from the Mizzou Horn Choir to Faculty Brass Ensembles. In his current role as the University Philharmonic Teaching Assistant where he studies with Edward Dolbashian, Mr. Lester can be seen conducting the orchestra every week during rehearsals as well as several concerts.

Mary Manulik, cello (Season 3-11)

Mary Manulik is a Suzuki cello and piano instructor. She teaches from her home studio in Columbia. Mary has a B.A. in cello and piano from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, where she studied with David Littrell and Stephen Swedish. Her M.A. is from the University of Iowa. Her teachers there were Charles Wendt and John Simms. While in Iowa, Mary played with the Cedar Rapids Symphony and taught at the Preucil School of Music and Cornell College. In Columbia, Mary has worked as a piano accompanist and cello instructor at Central Methodist University, plays with the Columbia Civic Orchestra and Odyssey Chamber Orchestra, and is a member of the Thilman Duo for flute and cello. In addition, Mary is the owner of a home-based gluten-free baking business called Senza. She and her husband, Joe, have three adult children.

Saeka Matsuyama, violin (Season 11)

Winner of numerous prestigious competitions and awards, including the First Prize and Audience Prize at the 2004 Sendai International Music Competition and the Second Prize Winner at the 2003 Hannover International Violin Competition. May 29, 2005: Saeka Matsuyama has won the Fourth Prize in the prestigious Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition performed at the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium. Violinist Saeka Matsuyama is in demand as a soloist for orchestral engagements, recitals, chamber musician, and festival appearances both in the United States and abroad. Ms. Matsuyama’s concert schedule includes performances as a soloist with the Tokyo Philharmonic for the Northern Japan tour, the Osaka Century Philharmonic, and the Rheinische-Philharmonie as well as recitals, chamber music appearances and competitions in Argentina, Belgium, France, Finland, Germany and Japan. In 1999, Bridge Records released Ms.Matsuyama’s first recording, a live performance of the Carl Nielsen Violin Concerto at the Carl Nielsen Violin Competition in New York City. Ms. Matsuyama also has been heard on WQXR-FM in New York City, and she was featured in Strad Magazine in 2004, as well as Ongaku no Tomo and Strad Japan in 2005.Ms. Matsuyama has participated in internationally renowned summer festivals, including Norfolk Chamber Music Festival and Master Music in Kazusa, Chiba (2005), Marlboro Music Festival (2003-2004), the Schleswig-Holstein Music Academy (2003, Concertmaster), Tanglewood Music Festival (2000, Concertmaster for Mahler Symphony No.5, Accademia Musicale di Sienna (1998), Encore School for Strings (1995-1996), and the Aspen Music Festival (1990-1992).Her accumulation of awards, prizes, and other distinctions is impressive. In addition to winning prizes in the Sendai International Music Competition and the Hannover International Competition, Ms. Matsuyama won Grand Prize in the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Competition (2000), Second Prize in the Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition (1999), Second Prize in the National Competition in Texas (1998), Second Prize and the Tchaikovsky Prize in the 2nd Tchaikovsky International Competition for Young Musicians (1995) and First Prize in the Juilliard Pre-College Competitions in 1998, 1995, and 1992. The Juilliard School also awarded Ms. Matsuyama several scholarships throughout the years she attended the school, an achievement award, and the Irene Diamond Graduate Fellowship.Born in 1980 in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo, Japan, Saeka Matsuyma had studied violin with Ishikawa Seiko and Oguri Machie before she came to the United States with her family at the age of nine. Soon after her arrival in New York, she continued violin studies at the Juilliard Pre-College program with renowned teacher Dorothy DeLay (1990–1999), and later with Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Robert Chen (1994–1996). While achieving her Bachelors of Music, which she received form The Juilliard School in 2003, she studied with the Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, Glenn Dicterow (1999–2003). Ms. Matsuyama also studied with Ronald Copes and Michael Gilbert."The exuberant Saeka Matsuyama epitomized the best of in modern Juilliard School while playing open-hearted and healthy. A performer of palpable individuality in demeanor as well as musical presentation ... her Beethoven Sonata was blessed by an incandescent sense for musical line and the Adagio of Brahms' Concerto reached out with a soulful intensity."... The Strad"The program succeeded in highlighting a new talent, presenting a Juilliard student named Saeka Matsuyama as a lyrical soloist while performing the last movement of Mozart's Fifth Violin Concerto."... The New York Times

Carolina Neves Merritt, violin (Season 2-11)

Carolina Neves Merritt recently completed her masters in Music degree from University of Missouri, where she studied with Eva Szekely. Born into a musical family, Carolina began playing the violin at age six with Evgeni Ratchev and attended the Carlos Gomes Conservatory in her native city of Belém, Brazil, continuing her studies with Nicolai Khit. Prior to her arrival at MU, she was a member of the Carlos Gomes Youth Orchestra (1996-99) and Teatro da Paz Symphony Orchestra (1999-2000). At MU, she was also a member of the University Philharmonic and Chamber Soloists. Carolina was part of the first violin section in the All-State high School Orchestra (2002) and Collegiate Orchestra (2005), was a member of the International Music Festival in her home town, and in the Missouri Symphony Society Chamber Orchestra. Currently Ms. Neves Merritt performs with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Carolina has won several competitions that include first place in the MMTA Collegiate Auditions in 2004, the Enos and Ruby McClure String Award in the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs, runner-up (2nd place) for the 2005 MTNA Young Artist Competition and Honorable Mention for MTNA Chamber Competition with Astraios String Trio, winner of the Emerging Artist Showcase, winner of the 2008 MTNA Young Artist State Competition, and winner of the 2010 MTNA Chamber State Competition with Astraios String Quartet.

McKenzie Miller, soprano (Season 11)

McKenzie Miller, soprano, comes from Kansas City. She is pursuing Bachelor of Music at the University of Missouri with emphasis in vocal performance and music history. McKenzie frequently performs in Columbia with University Singers and the Show-Me Opera. She won her division at the National Association of Singers competition for the past three years consecutively and was a featured soloist with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra in 2012. Recent staged roles include Alidora in La Cenerentola, Grisette in The Merry Widow, and scenes as Marietta in Die Tote Stadt, Elettra in Idomaneo, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, and Frasquita in Carmen. McKenzie is an intern at Broadway Christian Church in Columbia under the direction of Nollie Moore. She adores Russian and American art song, Radiohead, and Nina Simone. Healthy technique, strong foundation in musicianship, and freedom of expression are her top priorities in working with students.

Peter Miyamoto, piano (Season 1-11)

Peter Miyamotohas already enjoyed a brilliant international career, performing to great acclaim in recital and as soloist in Canada, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, China, and Japan, and in major US cities such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. In 1990, Miyamoto was named the first Gilmore Young Artist. He won numerous other competitions, including the American Pianist Association National Fellowship Competition, the D’Angelo Competition, the San Francisco Symphony Competition and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Competition. Dr. Miyamoto holds degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music, Yale University School of Music, Michigan State University, and the Royal Academy of Music in London. His teachers included Maria Curcio-Diamand, Leon Fleisher, Claude Frank, Peter Frankl, Marek Jablonski, Aube Tzerko, and Ralph Votapek, and Felix Galimir, Szymon Goldberg and Lorand Fenyves for chamber music. He has collaborated in performances with members of the Borromeo, Pacifica and Euclid Quartets as well as instrumentalists such as Charles Castleman, Victor Danchenko, Anthony McGill, Donald McInnes, Stephanie Sant'Ambrogio, David Shifrin, Lara St. John, and Allan Vogel, among many others. Currently Associate Professor of Piano at the University of Missouri, Peter Miyamoto formerly taught at Michigan State University, and the California Institute of the Arts. Since 2003 he has served as head of the piano faculty at the New York Summer Music Festival. Miyamoto has given master classes at major institutions throughout the United States as well as internationally in Canada, China, Greece, Japan and Serbia. Peter Miyamoto has released four CDs of solo piano music on the Blue-Griffin Label. More information is available on his web site, www.petermiyamoto.com.

Nollie G. Moore, tenor (Season 3, 8, 11)

Photo by Julian Foley

Nollie Moore is the Director of the Music Program and an Instructor of Voice at Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri where he directs the highly selective campus chamber choir the Jane Froman Singers. He is the faculty advisor to the college A Capella Society and the campus drama club, The Elysium Players. His singers can be heard on two professional compact disc recordings. "Simply American" is a compilation of performances from the groups many international tours and "Peace", a full length disc containing several of the works performed by the group annually at the home campus Holiday Lighting Festival. Concert tours have taken members to New York City’s Carnegie Hall, the great Cathedrals of Scotland, England, Austria, Italy, and Ireland and the state of the art concert halls of The Republic of China. He is active as a professional tenor singing regularly with the Missouri Chamber Orchestra. He most recently sang the tenor solos for Handel's "Messiah" in Dublin and London to critical acclaim. He will make his solo debut at Carnegie Hall in NYC next May in a festival performance of Tim Sharp's High Lonesome Mass. Professional regional musical theater work includes The Music Man, Forever Plaid and Fiddler on the Roof. Moore has served or is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Columbia College Alumni Association, Theater Reaching Young People in Schools, the Columbia Civic Orchestra, and the Missouri Symphony Society. Moore serves as Director of Traditional Music for Broadway Christian Church. He also maintains a full teaching studio of local high school students who can consistently be seen in national honor choirs and on stages around the nation.

The New Muse Piano Duo (Paola Savvidou and Jonathan Kuuskoski) specializes in music of the 20th and 21st centuries. The Duo’s mission is to expand the repertoire available for four hands and two pianos by performing newly composed works across the United States and abroad. Committed to engaging 21st century audiences, the Duo presents recitals with visual and interactive components, often within unexpected concert formats. During their inaugural 2013-2014 season, the New Muse Piano Duo will take on tour a program that consists exclusively of new works by living composers selected from a call-for-scores that generated more than 90 submissions from across the Americas and Europe. As members of the New Music Everywhere ensemble, based in Madison, WI, they have collaborated with many composers including Laura Schwendinger, Jeff Herriott, and Robert Honstein, visual artist Shinique Smith, and with faculty from UW-Madison, UW-Whitewater, and Madison-based troupes including the Deer Heart Dance Company, The Weather Duo, Mad Town Ballroom, and the UW First Wave Hip Hop Learning Community. Both members of the Duo also performed across the Midwest with the UW-Madison Contemporary Chamber Ensemble. Currently, the Duo is based at the University of Missouri School of Music in Columbia. Dr. Savvidou serves as Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Prof. Kuuskoski as Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of Entrepreneurship and Community Programs.

Chad R. Payton, countertenor (Season 3, 4, 9, 10 [Memphis], 11+)

Dr. Chad R. Payton, countertenor, is an Assistant Professor
of Music at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. He teaches
private voice instruction, Lyric Diction, Vocal Pedagogy, Song Literature, and
is the originator and host of the Opera Lecture Series. Dr. Payton is on the voice faculty and Artistic Administrator of Seagle Music Colony in New York, which is the nation’s oldest young artist training program in opera and music theatre. In 2014 he was one of twelve voice teachers selected into the national NATS Intern Program. His university and private students have frequently won both the regional and state NATS competitions, been national finalists in the Hal Leonard Competition, and have received vocal scholarships and graduate teaching assistantships at institutions such as Westminster Choir College. He has soloed internationally throughout Austria, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Italy. He is a national finalist in The American Prize Competition for art song and semi-finalist for chamber music. Dr. Payton has presented masterclasses in Brazil, and at Westminster Choir College, Kansas State University, Mississippi State University, University of Alabama Birmingham, University of Kansas, and University of Missouri. Upcoming performances include the tenor soloist in Carmina Burana with Columbia Chorale, the Prodigal Son in Charpentier’s Filius Prodigus with Henderson State University, and a faculty recital of Japanese art songs.

John D. Perkins, trumpet (Season 4, 5, 7, 9-11)

John D. Perkinsis Associate
Professor of Music at Central Methodist University where he teaches applied
trumpet and horn, coaches brass ensembles, and teaches music history. Perkins
earned degrees from The University of Texas at Austin (D.M.A.), The University
of Wisconsin - Madison (M.M.), and St. Cloud State University (B.S.). His
primary trumpet teachers include Raymond Crisara, Albert Moore, John Aley, and
he studied briefly with Frank Kaderabek and Don Jacoby.Perkins has held trumpet positions and performed with a multitude of orchestras, including the York Symphony, Johnstown Symphony, San Angelo Symphony, Abilene Philharmonic, Victoria Bach Festival Orchestra, and the Mid-Texas Symphony. He recently held the principal trumpet position with the Shippensburg Festival Symphony Orchestra for fifteen years. Repertoire performed in its entirety includes Musorgky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration, Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, Dvorak’s Symphony Nos. 6, 8 and 9, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and his Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra, Beethoven’s Symphony Nos. 3, 5, and 7, Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2 and his Chichester Psalms, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, Ives’ Circus Band, Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3, Copland’s Old American Songs, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 to name a few. He has shared the stage with several artists and conductors, some of which are Sarah Chang, Joshua Bell, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Allen Vizzutti, Christine Brewer, Stuart Malina, Jean-Yves Thibaudet,Andre Watts,and Fredericka von Stade. Performing often for the Odyssey Chamber Music series, Perkins recently played Stravinsky’s L' Histoire du Soldat, Berg’s Chamber Concerto, and Martinu’s Le Revue de Cuisine. He also plays lead trumpet for MU's Summer Rep Theatre productions, Stephens College musicals, the Big Bang Brass Quintet, as well as solo engagements. He has performed at the International Trumpet Guild Conference and has several recording reviews articles published in the International Trumpet Guild Journal.

Matthew J. Pierce, cello (Season 5-11+)

Matthew J. Pierce first performed in Columbia with the Missouri Symphony in 1998. After a decade spent freelancing for a living in New England, he returned to Columbia as a member of Mizzou's newly formed graduate New Music Ensemble in 2009. While in New England, Matthew played a combined twelve seasons as principal cellist of the Plymouth Philharmonic and Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestras and was a founding member of the Plymouth String Quartet, while also contributing regularly to numerous other ensembles across the region. Since returning to Columbia, Matthew has been active in both regional and local musical scenes, playing "abroad" everywhere from the South Dakota Symphony to the Springfield Symphony, and locally at the Roots N Blues festival and with the Missouri Symphony. A cellist, woodworker, and independent scholar, Matthew currently runs a private studio, makes and sells fine wooden conductor's batons, adjusts and repairs stringed instruments, and writes about the structure of emotion from his background in music and cognitive science.

Jeremiah Rittel, clarinet (Season 10, 11)

Jeremiah Rittel is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Clarinet Performance and Graduate Certificate in Jazz from the University of Missouri. He strives for musical experiences in a variety of Western and World practices, which have so far resulted in a diverse array of performances and collaborations. As a classical clarinetist, Jeremiah has performed with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra of the Rockies, studied abroad in Vienna, Austria, and attended the International Clarinet Association Clarinetfest® 2010 in Austin, Texas. As a pit orchestra musician, Jeremiah plays E-flat clarinet, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, and alto and tenor saxophones. He has collaborated in over a dozen musicals with the Missoula Community Theatre, Childrens Theatre, and the University of Montana’s School of Theatre and Dance. Notable performances include the on-stage klezmer clarinet solo in Fiddler on the Roof, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, book by Joseph Steinand; and Chicago, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Jeremiah also has interests in World Music, New Music, and Jazz. He has spent time exploring West African, East Indian, Balinese, and Jazz music through a variety of ensembles, independent studies, master classes, clinics, and community workshops. Jeremiah is currently a member of the New Music Ensemble at the University of Missouri and is enjoying working with student and professional composers from around the region, country, and world.

Julie Rosenfeld, violin (Season 11)

Violinist Julie Rosenfeld is an artist of great depth and passion. As the First Violinist of the Colorado Quartet, winner of both the First Banff International String Quartet Competition and the Naumburg Chamber Music Award within ten days in 1983, she played more than 1200 concerts, touring throughout every part of the United States and Canada, and in more than 20 other countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, England, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic, Bosnia, Norway, Denmark, Israel, Korea, the British Virgin Islands, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico. Their recordings of both standard and contemporary repertoire (most recently the complete Quartets of Beethoven) garnered praise from critics far and wide, as has their championing of many of today’s leading composers such as Karel Husa, Joan Tower, Richard Wernick, Katherine Hoover, George Tsontakis, Laura Kaminsky and Libby Larsen. The Soundfest Festival and Institute of String Quartets, a music camp for players aged 10 to adult amateur, founded in 1991 in Falmouth, Massachusetts, was directed by the Colorado Quartet until 2013, and they were the Quartet-in-Residence at Bard College from 2000 until 2009. They have held residencies at Oberlin, Swarthmore and Amherst Colleges, and have given Master Classes at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Eastman School and at Yale University, among others. Beginning in the Fall of 2014, Ms. Rosenfeld will join the faculty of the University of Missouri School of Music, and become a member of the Esterhazy String Quartet, in residence there. From 2009 until 2013, Ms. Rosenfeld was Assistant Professor of Violin In-Residence at the University of Connecticut and prior to that time she was a Visiting Professor of Music at Bard College. A native of Los Angeles, she attended the Curtis Institute and received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California, and her Master of Music from Yale University, studying with such eminent teachers as Szymon Goldberg, Nathan Milstein, Robert Mann, and Yukiko Kamei. Ms. Rosenfeld has served on juries for the Astral Foundation, the Juilliard School, the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation and for the Banff International String Quartet Competition, the Coleman Chamber Music Competition, and the Concert Artists Guild Competition, and has taught violin and chamber music at the European Mozart Academy in Poland. She has performed at the Marlboro, Santa Fe, Newport and La Jolla Chamber Music Festivals and has appeared as a guest artist with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. She collaborated with André Previn on the West Coast premiere of his Violin Sonata and on two CDs of French chamber music for BMG Classics. Julie plays on a Giovanni Battista Guadagnini violin, made around 1750, and owns bows crafted in the early 19th Century by Dominique Peccatte and Nicolas Maire.

Mark Sparks, flute (Season 11)

Mark Sparks is Solo Flutist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Recognized for his colorful tone, spirited phrasing, and charismatic style (described by the Denver Post as "mesmerizing"), he is a dynamic orchestral artist, soloist, chamber musician, and teacher, and has performed in many of the world's most prestigious venues. He has made guest appearances with numerous top ensembles including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and was a member of the Baltimore Symphony before his appointment in St. Louis in 2000. Sparks can be heard as recording artist on the Summit and AAM labels, with various orchestras on the Sony, Telarc, Nonesuch, and Decca labels, and has recently released his third solo recording, "French Album," a collaboration with St. Louis pianist Peter Henderson on the Pesen label. Recent activities included recitals and master classes for the Ohio Flute Association, Texas Flute Society, the Illinois Flute Society, the Eastman School of Music, the Curtis Institute of Music, Oberlin College, Northwestern University, and Yale, among others, a residency at Baylor University's Flute Festival 2014, and a recital at the NFA Convention in Chicago. Appearances also included performances of Christopher Rouse's Flute Concerto with the St. Louis Symphony under Music Director David Robertson both on the Orchestra's California tour and in St. Louis. Plans are underway for performances of the concerto in China and Korea. Upcoming activities include a recital for the New York Flute Club, performance of the Bach b minor Suite with the SLSO for their 2014 Gala, residency at San Diego's Mainly Mozart Festival, a class and recital at Ithaca college, and various recitals in the St. Louis area. A dedicated teacher, Mr. Sparks is a former full-time faculty member of Baltimore's Peabody Institute, and presents an annual Flute Seminar in St. Louis. Sparks frequently coaches for top orchestral training programs, including the New World Symphony, NOI, and the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan. This summer he joined the coaching faculty of the Carnegie Hall's National Youth Orchestra. Mr. Sparks is an artist-faculty member of the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he teaches an annual studio of the nation's top talent, and is Principal flutist of the Aspen Chamber Symphony. An avid writer on flute-related subjects , he is a regular contributor to Flute Talk Magazine, and is included in the book "Flute Stories: 101 Inspirational Stories of the World's Best Flute Players." As arranger, Sparks has recently completed and performed arrangements of Bruch's Romanza and Faure's Elegie for flute and piano, published by Theodore Presser. Born in the U.S. in 1960, Mr. Sparks graduated with honors from the Oberlin Conservatory as a student of Robert Willoughby. He is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda Society, and the National Flute Association. As a student, he also trained at the Tanglewood Music Festival, Aspen, and the National Repertory Orchestra.

Marcia Spence, horn (Season 3, 4, 6-8, 10, 11+)

Marcia Spence is in her twentieth year as Professor of Horn at the University of Missouri where she performs with the University of Missouri Faculty Brass Quintet, with whom she toured Russia and the Missouri Quintet, with whom she toured China and also made two CD recordings. She holds two horn performance degrees from the University of Colorado, a master of business administration degree from The American University, and a doctor of musical arts degree from the University of North Texas. She spent fourteen years as a member of military bands, culminating with the position of Commander/Conductor of the 531st Air Force Band in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Spence has performed professionally with the Colorado Mahlerfest Orchestra, Waco Symphony, Oklahoma City Symphony, Denton Bach Society Orchestra, Wichita Falls Symphony, Dallas Wind Symphony, Breckenridge Chamber Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Missouri Symphony, Missouri Brass Consortium, and the St. Louis Holiday Brass. She has appeared frequently as a guest artist at the Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-South regional horn workshops. In 2008, 2009, and 2012 she performed as a soloist at international symposiums hosted by the International Horn Society.

Brian Tate, percussion (Season 1~11)

Brian Tate is currently a member of the faculty at Columbia College, where his duties include teaching music theory, aural skills, and music history courses for both music majors and non-majors. In addition, he has been a member of the faculty of the School of Music at the University of Missouri – Columbia as an adjunct instructor since 2007, where his duties have ranged from teaching music history for non-majors and music theory and music technology courses for music majors to serving on the percussion faculty teaching lessons and assisting with percussion ensembles. He also serves as an adjunct instructor at Moberly Area Community College where he teaches courses in music history. Additionally, he teaches percussion at Rock Bridge High School and maintains a private percussion studio in Columbia. He received both a B.S. Ed. and M.M. from the University of Missouri. Prior to his graduate work, he served as Assistant Director of Bands at Oakville High School, District Percussion Specialist for the Mehlville School District, and Assistant Director of Bands for the Poplar Bluff School District. As a percussionist, Mr. Tate has performed on recitals and at conferences throughout North America, including the 12th Festival Internacional de Percusión in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the 2007 National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy in Greensboro, North Carolina. Currently, he serves as timpanist for the Missouri Symphony Orchestra and is a regular percussionist for the Odyssey Chamber Series. He has also been a member of the St. Louis Wind Symphony, the Mighty Mississippi Concert Band, the St. Louis Chamber Winds, and the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps front ensemble. He has also shared the stage with such noteworthy artists as Johnny Mathis, Anne Murray, Art Garfunkel, the Boston Brass, Ben E. King, and Deborah Henson-Conant. He is a contributing composer and editor for Sequential Studies for Four-Mallet Marimba, a beginning four-mallet marimba method series that has recently been featured on VicFirth.com. In addition, he has been an active composer, arranger, and adjudicator for band and percussion throughout the country. Professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, MENC/NAfME, MMEA, MBA, Kappa Delta Pi, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Maria Duhova Trevor, harp (Season 7, 9, 11+)

Born in the Slovak Republic, Maria Duhova Trevor holds a master’s degree in harp performance from the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Bratislava, where she studied under Katarina Turnerova and Adriana Antalova. Prior to that, she studied harp performance at the Conservatory of Music in Zilina under Tibor Kovac. She completed her studies there performing the Mozart Concerto for Flute and Harp with the Slovak Sinfonietta. During her Conservatory studies, she made several recordings of solo harp pieces for the Slovak Radio. From 1996 to 1999, Ms. Trevor was Principal Harpist of the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic (Czech Republic), with which she toured throughout Europe. In 1999 Ms. Trevor was a featured recitalist at the Seventh World Harp Congress in Prague. Later that year, she won the harp position at the Slovak National Opera, where she played in over thirty opera and fifteen ballet productions. In 2001, she premiered and recorded a new work by David Ott for harp and orchestra, The Angel’s Harp. From 2002 to 2005, Ms. Trevor was a recording harpist for the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, with which she participated in dozens of contemporary music and movie score recordings. In 2003, she joined the Radio Symphony Orchestra on their tour of Japan. Ms. Trevor has been principal harpist of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra since 2001 and has been featured as soloist in the Ravel Introduction and Allegro in 2002 and the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto in 2004. Ms. Trevor lives in Columbia, Missouri with her husband, conductor Kirk Trevor, and their two children Sylvia and Daniel. She collaborates with musicians in solo recitals and chamber music, and appears regularly with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series, Columbia Civic Orchestra, and others. In addition to her position at the University of Missouri School of Music, she is also an adjunct harp instructor at Lincoln University and maintains an active private studio. For more information, visit her web site at www.mariaharp.com.

Kirk Trevor, conductor (Season 2, 11+)

Internationally known conductor, recording artist and teacher Kirk Trevor is a regular guest conductor in the world’s concert halls. Maestro Trevor became Music Director of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra in 2000. He has led the Missouri Symphony Orchestra in the summer music festival since 2001 and in 2005 transformed the Festival into Hot Summer Nights, expanding the music to include classical, pops, family and chamber series, as well as special world music programs. In 2011, he created and conducted the first Symphony of Toys Holiday Concert, a program now held annually.

Born and educated in England, he graduated cum laude in cello performance and conducting. He furthered his conducting studies with the late Sir Adrian Boult and cello studies with Paul Tortelier. He came to the United States in 1975 on a Fulbright grant and subsequently became Resident Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He then served as Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for 18 years until 2003, when he became Conductor Laureate. With the Knoxville Symphony he achieved record ticket sales 11 consecutive years. Innovative programming and a focus on reaching new audiences, whether young or thirty-something, Maestro Trevor is able to reach first time concertgoers with programs that are entertaining, edifying and educational. It is part of his lifelong philosophy of how to make classical music relevant within 21st century culture.

In 2007, Maestro Trevor founded the Missouri Symphony Conservatory, a new initiative to train, educate and inspire young musicians in a variety of activities through the Children’s Chorus (founded in 2002) which Melissa Straw directs, and the two orchestras – Junior Strings and Chamber Players – which he directs. Together with Chorus Conductor Straw, he strives to create a program that nurtures the joy and creativity within young musicians, while inspiring them to achieve extra-musical and communicative goals rather than just performance ones. The award-winning Conservatory reaches 150 students each year. It has been through Maestro Trevor’s devotion to music education and his involvement in the training and development of new generations of listeners, players and conductors that he has developed an international following. Winner of the 1990 Leonard Bernstein Conducting Competition, he is widely recognized as one of the leading conducting teachers in the world. His International Workshop for Conductors held in Europe is in its 22nd year and draws more than 50 young conductors annually to study with him. He also teaches conductors and directs the orchestra at the National Music Festival of Brazil in Brasilia each January. In the past year he also conducted and taught at the Durango Music Festival in Colorado, conducted the Astoria Symphony in New York and gave master classes in Boulder, Colorado; Bulgaria; and the Czech Republic.

As a guest conductor, Maestro Trevor has conducted more than 40 orchestras in 15 countries. He made his London Symphony Orchestra debut in 2002 and his Carnegie Hall debut in 2007. Maestro Trevor also serves as Music Director of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, leading the orchestra in a variety of subscription programs, as well as choral programs with the Symphonic Choir. The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra is the Orchestra in Residence at the Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival where Maestro Trevor conducts numerous premieres and serves as a featured speaker on introducing new composers to new audiences. From 1995 to 2000 he was Music Director of the Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra in the Czech Republic and from 2002 until 2005 was Principal Guest Conductor of the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Korin Wahl, viola (Season 10 & Performance Fellow, Season 11)

Violist Korin Wahl is passionate about connecting others through the power of chamber music. She is currently the violist for the New Music Ensemble at the University of Missouri and for two years was the violist of the Graduate String Quartet in-residence at Mizzou. She has performed at many venues in the area including the Missouri Theater and the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City. Korin has attended festivals such as Killington Chamber Festival, Eastern Music Festival, Brevard Music Festival, and the Black Hills Chamber Festival with the Orlando Chamber Soloists. She has also had the opportunity to perform in venues throughout the United States and Europe such as Carnegie Hall, the Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria. This past summer Korin attended the Zodiac Chamber Music Festival in Valdeblore, France where she had the opportunity to perform in various historical venues throughout the South of France. Korin’s musical inspiration began with private instruction from her first teacher William Goodwin and has flourished through her collaboration with numerous peers and mentors including former teacher William Goodwin, violinists Corinne Stillwell and Susan Jensen, cellist Ariana Macmillan, and pianists Ludwig Treviranus and Read Gainsford. Through her mentorship with the Orlando Chamber Soloists, she found a love of working with children from toddler to young adult in their Teddy Bear Concert Series. This past summer Korin was invited to an internship with the Education and Community Engagement Department of the Seattle Symphony, where she observed and participated in the Symphony’s community events located throughout the Seattle metropolitan area. Korin continues to educate today’s youth as the Assistant Director of the Missouri String Project and teaches privately through the Community Music Program. Ms. Wahl completed her Bachelor’s degree at Florida State University where she studied with Pamela Ryan and Corrine Stillwell. She is currently completing her Master’s in Viola Performance at Mizzou under the instruction of Leslie Perna.

Michael White, flute (Season 7-9, 11+)

Michael White studied flute with Byron Hester, principal flutist with the Houston Symphony Orchestra (1952-1992), and received both the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of Houston. He also studied privately in London with Gareth Morris, principal flutist with the New Philharmonia Orchestra. Michael began playing professionally in Houston during his sophomore year at the University of Houston and soon became established as a prominent free-lance player. He has played with every major arts organization in Houston, including the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Texas Opera Theater, the Texas Chamber Orchestra, Theatre Under the Stars, and the Houston Gilbert & Sullivan Society. He was principal flutist with the Houston Ballet Orchestra and the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra for 23 years. Michael maintains his professional ties to Theatre Under the Stars and the Houston Gilbert & Sullivan Society and returns to Houston to perform with these groups. In Columbia, Michael enjoys playing with the Columbia Civic Orchestra under the leadership of Stefan Freund.

Dan Willett, oboe (Seasons 10, 11+)

Dan Willett has been a member of the MU music faculty since 1982. A native of Michigan, he earned both bachelor and master's degrees from Michigan State University, where he studied oboe with Daniel Stolper. He has performed in master classes with John Mack, Thomas Stacey, Evelyn Barbirolli, Richard Woodhams, Robert Bloom, and Ronald Roseman. Professor Willett's faculty duties have included teaching the oboe and reedmaking, coaching chamber music, music appreciation, and performing as a member of the Missouri Woodwind Quintet, the ensemble-in-residence at MU. He also is the Associate Director for the School of Music. In addition to regular solo recitals on and off campus, Professor Willett has performed with the St. Louis Symphony, St. Louis Bach Society, and Kammerguild Chamber Orchestra, at the Bach Aria Group Festival, New College Music Festival, Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the International Double Reed Society Convention. As a member of the Missouri Quintet, he has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, the International Chamber Music Festival in Belem, Brazil, and in other cities including St. Louis, Boston, and Chicago. The Missouri Quintet has recorded on the Cambria label (Quintets Nos. 1 and 2 by David Maslanka), and has appeared on National Public Radio's Performance Today. Professor Willett has also been active as a composer and arranger, having studied composition with Jere Hutcheson at Michigan State University. His woodwind quintet transcriptions have been favorably reviewed by the New York Times, and broadcast nationwide. His original works include assorted chamber pieces, choral works, and Three Settings of Old Tunes for woodwind quintet and band.

Graham Woodland, violin (Season 11)

Graham Woodland is currently a senior at the University of Missouri, where he is pursuing a degree in Violin Performance studying under Eva Szekely. At MU, he has served as concertmaster of the MU Philharmonic Orchestra and is heavily involved in chamber music activities. He is a regular member of the Columbia Civic Orchestra, and also frequently performs with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra, in Illinois. Graham has soloed with the Eureka High School Symphonic Orchestra, the MU Chamber Orchestra, and will solo with the MU Philharmonic Orchestra this Spring, playing Ravel’s Tzigane. During past summers, he has attended the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, where he was a student of Chin Kim, and the Innsbrook Institute Academy and Festival. He has been awarded top prizes in numerous competitions such as the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), MU Emerging Artists, and Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) Competitions, and was a former participant in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. He has also participated in lessons and master classes with musicians such as Anne Epperson, Pinchas Zukerman, Robert Lipsett, and most recently, members of the Philharmonia Quartett Berlin.

Pete Zambito, percussion (Season 5, 10, 11+)

Pete Zambito joined the faculty of Lincoln University of Missouri in 2008. He is an Assistant Professor of Music, the Percussion Instructor, and the Drumline Instructor for Groove Dynasty, the drumline of Lincoln University’s Marching Musical Storm. He teaches applied percussion lessons for 10 majors and non-majors, teaches Percussion Techniques Class, directs the Percussion Ensemble, and directs the Sacred Music Internship Program at Lincoln University. Previous to his position at Lincoln University, he was Adjunct Assistant Professor of Percussion at the University of Missouri. He was the director of MU Steel, the university’s steel band, and has performed with and directed the group throughout Missouri. Since relocating to Missouri in 2006, he has performed across the state and is currently the principal percussionist for the Marshall (MO) Philharmonic Orchestra and has been a section percussionist for the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Columbia (MO) Civic Orchestra. He is also a frequent performer on the Odyssey Chamber Series in Columbia, Missouri. Previously, Dr. Zambito directed the percussion program at Concord University in Athens, WV. In addition to teaching class piano and arranging and scoring, he ran the percussion studio, directed the marching band drumline, the basketball pep band, and in his final semester, directed the concert band. As a performer, Dr. Zambito has toured extensively throughout the Southeast and Midwest as a marimbist, including a duet tour throughout North Carolina and West Virginia with trombonist Daniel Rice, and solo tours of Virginia and South Carolina. In addition, he has worked as pianist and percussionist for a variety of churches and has performed professionally as a section percussionist in the Salisbury (NC) Symphony Orchestra. He is also a commissioned composer of percussion solos, duets, and ensemble works, many of which are available through C. Alan Publications. Dr. Zambito holds a B.A. degree in music performance with a focus on piano from Wake Forest University, and M.M. and D.M.A. degrees in percussion performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In February 2008, his article, “Marimba Transcriptions of Piano Literature”, based on his dissertation, was published in Percussive Notes. He spent 3 years as an editor and engraver at C. Alan Publications, and has been a frequent contributor as coordinator and clinician at the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy. Dr. Zambito is a Vic Firth Artist and Educational endorser.

Mallory Alekna, double bass (Seasons 6-8)

Mallory Alekna is a graduate of Illinois State University (ISU) with a degree in music education. She studied bass with Dr. Bill Koehler and conducting with Dr. Stephen K. Steele and Dr. Glenn Block. Mallory has performed as principal bassist for Illinois State University’s Symphonic Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Ensemble I. She served as Assistant Conductor to Dr. Glenn Block for ISU’s production of Candide. Her recordings include the premiere of David Maslanka’s Symphony No. 8 and Traveler. She is currently teaching middle school and high school band and choir at the Northeast Randolph County Schools in Cairo, Missouri.

Astraios String Quartet (Season 8)

Astraios String Quartet was named the First Place winner in the prestigious Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) State Chamber Music Competition held in November 2010. They have represented Missouri to compete at the West Central Division in South Dakota in January 2011. Began as one of the string quartets of School of Music at at University of Missouri (MU), Astraios was coached by Professor Eva Szekely. Previously, Astraios was invited, and has participated in the MU School of Music’s 2009 Mendelssohn Festival. Astraios was originally formed in 2006 at the University of Missouri under the guidance of Amy Appold. Members have been changed over the years; the ensemble continued as String Trio, and it received Honorable Mention at the 2007 MTNA State Chamber Music Competition. Currently, the members consist of Carolina Neves Merritt and Matheus Souza on violin, Dustin Frieda on viola, and Matthew Pierce on cello. For more information, visit their web site: astraiosstrings.com

Rachel AuBuchon, piano | organ (Season 1-10)

Rachel AuBuchon devotes much of her time to collaborating with instrumentalists, vocalists, and choral groups, finding an unusual balance between lieder and saxophone literature. She currently performs with faculty and students at the University of Missouri and is an active member of Trio Chymera, a saxophone piano trio. Recent performance venues have included two performances at New York’s Weill Recital Hall, the 2008, 2010, and 2012 North American Saxophone Biennial Conference, the 2011 Navy Symposium, the 2012 World Saxophone Congress, and the NATS regional conference in collaboration with tenor, Dominic Armstrong (2005) and baritone Kory Bickel (2007). Ms. AuBuchon has participated in the International Composers Festival in Columbia Missouri (2012, 2013) and the CoOPERAtive program in Princeton, New Jersey (2013). Ms. AuBuchon graduated with a BM in piano performance from Truman State University, where she studied under David McKamie, and an MM in accompanying at the University of Missouri, where she studied under Dr. Janice Wenger and Dr. Natalia Bolshakova. She served on the faculty of Stephens College from 2006-2011.

Bach Collegium Choir (Season 3-10)

The Bach Collegium Choir is comprised of some of the finest young vocal musicians in the Columbia area. Its members also perform with University Singers, Show-Me Opera, MU Summer Singers and Choral Union. Each year its members win voice competitions at the state, regional and national level. The ensemble meets once each year to prepare Baroque motets and cantatas, with special emphasis on applying historical performance practice.

Enrico Baiano, harpsichord (Season 7, 10)

“If more 18thcentury harpsichordists had played like this there would have been no need to invent the piano” [Early Music Review]“He must have spent a lot of time in his Neapolitan garret, because boy he knows his stuff!” [International record review]"Concerning Baiano's interpretation, at the risk of being a bore I can only repeat for the umpteenth time that his playing is beyond criticism"[CD Classica] " Superb - dare to buy it! A magnificent interpretation which will disappoint nobody - Diapason guarantees it!" [Diapason] "The exceptional combination of wit and flair in compositions and performer make this one of the most significant harpsichord recordings of the decade" [Le Monde de la Musique]

Thus the press continues to greet Neapolitan harpsichordist Enrico Baiano's recordings and concerts, earning him awards such as the Deutsche Schallplattenpreis, Diapason d’Or ,Choc de la Musique and Platte des Monats. The virtuosity and panache of his playing perfectly reflect his upbringing and training in that most colourful and musical of Mediterranean cities, Naples, where he was born in 1960 and subsequently graduated in Piano and Composition at Naples’ Conservatorio ‘S.Pietro a Majella’ before specialising in Harpsichord with Emilia Fadini at Milan’s Conservatorio ‘G.Verdi’. Enrico Baiano has performed at the most renowned early music festivals. His repertoire ranges from 16th to 21st century. He is one of the co-founders of the Italian ensemble “Cappella della Pietà dei Turchini”, with whom he has played and recorded from 1986 to 2000. He often plays with the Neapolitan contemporary music ensemble ‘Dissonanzen’ and with ‘Piccolo concerto Wien’. His solo recordings for Symphonia have won him several international prizes. He took part in two documentary films directed by Francesco Leprino: 'Un gioco ardito' on Domenico Scarlatti and ‘Sul nome B.a.c.h.’ on J.S.Bach. He has written a Harpsichord Method published by Ut Orpheus; for the editor L.I.M. he is writing a book on the sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti. In addition to teaching harpsichord at the Conservatorio ‘Domenico Cimarosa’ in Avellino, he is particularly interested in composition and research. DISCOGRAPHY Pier Domenico PARADIES (Paradisi) - Sonate di Gravicembalo SY95140 Johann Jakob FROBERGER - Diverse curiose partite - SY 96152 Antonio de CABEZON - Obras de Mùsica - SY 98156 Domenico SCARLATTI - Sonate - SY 99166 Antonio VIVALDI - Concerti per clavicembalo (Ann Dawson’s Book) - SY 00175 Musica al Tempo di Luca Giordano - Il cembalo nella Napoli del ‘600 - SY01184 Girolamo FRESCOBALDI – Intavolature di Cimbalo – SY02202 Domenico SCARLATTI - Sonate – 2nd volume SY 05218 Domenico SCARLATTI - Sonate – Stradivarius

Jennifer Margaret Barker, composer (Season 10)

Jennifer Margaret Barker’s compositions have been hailed by critics in North America, Europe and Asia as “extraordinarily moving”, “soul-stirring”, “at once gripping and timeless”, “blazingly alive, with lovely, aching melodies”, “show-stopping”, “anything but passive”, “beautiful…warm”, “haunting”, “thrilling new sounds”, “familiar and yet always new”, “illuminated by dreamy images”, and her compositional output has been noted for its “amazing array”. Barker has received commissions and performances from most notably The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra with the St. Louis Children’s Choirs, The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra with the New Jersey Youth Chorus, The Virginia Symphony with The Virginia Children’s Chorus, The Fort Collins Symphony, The Bearsden Choir with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Brass and Percussion Ensembles, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra String Quartet, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra String Trio, Relâche, Network for New Music, The Society for New Music, Trio Arundel, The Taggart-Grycky Duo, Del’Arte, Musica Nova, Mélomanie, The Holywell Ensemble, Marimolin, The Children’s Chorus of Maryland, and The Bay Youth Symphony, as well as an extensive list of international concert artists. She was invited to compose a work for The 2002 American Liszt Society National Conference, and her compositional work is featured on the Distant Voices Touring Theatre ‘September Echoes’ production. Her compositions have also been featured on documentary and art films, including “No Denying”. To date, her works have been performed in China, Australia, Sweden, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, The Czech Republic and Slovenia, as well as in the United Kingdom (Scotland, England and Wales) and the United States. In addition to ASCAP awards and varying international awards, Barker has received grants from organizations such as The National Endowment for the Arts, the Pew Charitable Trust, the American Composers Forum, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the Norfolk (USA) Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Meir Rimon Commissioning Assistance Grant, the Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, the Philadelphia Music Project and The Scottish Arts Council. In 2007 she received an Established Artist Fellowship from the Delaware Division of the Arts for her contributions to the State of Delaware. Published by Theodore Presser, Vanderbeek & Imrie Ltd. and Southern Percussion, Barker has received numerous broadcasts of her compositions on American public radio and the BBC. Her first CD, ‘Nyvaigs’, was released in April 2000 on the CRI label and is currently distributed by New World Records. Her second CD, ‘Geenyoch’, which includes a bonus DVD featuring four music videos of her compositions filmed by award-winning cameraman John Anthony Palmer, was released in May 2005 on the Meyer Media LLC label (www.meyer-media.com). Barker is Co-Chair of New Music Delaware and Co-Artistic Director/Founder of Still Breathing: The University of Delaware Contemporary Music Ensemble. Born and raised in Scotland, she has lived in America since 1987. In addition to composing, Barker remains active as a pianist. www.jennifermargaretbarker.com

Christopher Baumgartner, conductor (Season 8)

Christopher Baumgartner is currently pursuing a Ph. D. in Music Education at the University of Missouri. A native of Ohio, Mr. Baumgartner holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bowling Green State University. While at BGSU, he guest conducted the University Band, the BGSU Men’s Chorus, and PRAECEPTA, an ensemble devoted to the performance of student compositions. He remains active as a conductor, routinely guest conducting university ensembles at Mizzou. As a clinician, Mr. Baumgartner has worked with middle school and high school bands throughout Ohio, and recently in the mid-Missouri area. Mr. Baumgartner’s master’s thesis, A Performance Analysis of Whirlwind and Shadow Rituals, Ticheli Composition Contest Award Winning Works in 2007, won the Distinguished Theses Awardfrom BGSU in 2010. Recently, he was published in Visions of Research in Music Education and Missouri School Music Magazine. Christopher Baumgartner is a member of the National Association for Music Education, Missouri Bandmasters Association, College Music Society, Society for Research in Teacher Education, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and National Band Association.

Stephanie Berg, clarinet (Season 6-8)

Stephanie Berg is a December 2008 graduate of the University of Missouri, having earned a Bachelor of Music degree in clarinet performance. She continues her studies at the University of Missouri, pursuing a Master’s degree in clarinet performance and composition. She performs in the University Philharmonic, University of Missouri’s New Music Ensemble, is principal of the 9th Street Philharmonic, and an auxiliary member of the Columbia Civic Orchestra, playing Bb, A, Eb, and Bass clarinets whenever required. In addition to performing, Stephanie is very active in music composition. This is her fourth year serving as the project manager of the Creating Original Music Program, and she is the 2009 recipient of the Sinquefield Composition Competition, resulting in the commissioned work, Motive and Reflection for full orchestra. She has also received commissions from the 9thStreet Philharmonic and Columbia Civic Orchestra, has had several works performed by the New Music Ensemble, including premieres at the St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum and Missouri Botanical Garden, and was accepted to the 2010 Atlantic Music Festival Composition Program.

Yoon Choi, violin (Season 6-8)

Yoon Choi is a senior at Hickman High School. She has won several competitions, including Alternate in 2010 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Senior Strings competition, Winner in 2010 Missouri Youth Orchestra / Mid-Missouri Area Music Teachers Association (MYO/MMAMTA) Pre-collegiate Concerto Competition, Honorable Mention in the 2009 MTNA Junior Strings, Alternate in 2008 MTNA Junior Strings, and State Representative in 2007 MTNA Junior Strings. She was also the Winner of the 2005 and 2006 Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) String competitions. Yoon has attended the Indiana University Summer String Academy in 2007 and the Missouri Chamber Music Seminar, 2009 - 2011. In 2010, Yoon was selected to participate in the prestigious Quartet Program directed by renowned violinist Charles Castleman at the State University of New York (SUNY) in Fredonia. Yoon has participated in the Missouri All-state Orchestra in 2010 and 2011.

Columbia Handbell Choir (Season 7, 9, 10+)

CHE performances on two five octave set of Schulmerich handbells. One set is courtesy of First Baptist Church and our second set was purchased from Otis and Lucille Mumaw, who for over ten years served the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) for the Missouri State Committee plus much more. Thanks to our many contributors CHE was able to dedicate our concerts in loving memory of Otis who passed away in February of 2000. We also use five octaves of Malmark choir chimes. A special thank you to Centenary United Methodist Church in St. Louis, Missouri, who for many years allowed us to use their sixth octave set which has been returned.

David Colwell, violin (Season 8)

Since his solo debut with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the age of 14, violinist David Colwell has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Europe, Canada, and the United States, and has been recorded by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. A native of Alberta, Canada, David received his first violin lessons from Dr. Elfreda Gleam and William van der Sloot. After further studies with Ranald Shean and Edmond Agopian, he began his undergraduate education in 1997 at the University of Alberta where he studied with Dr. Martin Riseley. In September of 2001, he entered the studio of Peter Oundjian and Ani Kavafian at Yale University School of Music and was awarded the Master of Music and Master of Musical Arts degrees in 2003 and 2005 respectively. In 2009, he was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Yale. David is grateful to the Winspear Fund for its generous support of his studies from 2001-2005. As a winner of a Johann Strauss Foundation Scholarship in both 1998 and 1999, David was afforded the opportunity to study at the Internationale Sommerakademie Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria with Igor Oistrakh, Michael Frischenschlager, Jean-Jacques Kantorow and Igor Ozim. In the summers of 2004 and 2005, he studied and performed at the Steans Institute for Young Artists at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago. In June of 2005, David made his formal Ravinia Festival debut at the Martin Theater. As a member of the Mondrian Piano Quartet, David participated in the Banff Centre's Chamber Music Residency in the summer of 2007. Other memorable performances have included chamber music collaborations with Edgar Meyer, Timothy Eddy, Paul Katz, Barry Shiffman, Henk Guittart, Pekka Kuusisto, Ismo Eskelinen, and Ralf Gothóni. Since 2006, David had been a member of the performance faculty at the University of Virginia's McIntire Department of Music and has served as concertmaster of the Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra and first violinist of the Rivanna String Quartet. In April of 2011 he was appointed Assistant Professor of Violin at SUNY Fredonia School of Music and joined the faculty in the Fall of 2011.

R. Paul Crabb, conductor (Season 3-10)

R. Paul Crabb, University of Missouri’s Director of Choral Activities, earned degrees in Music Education, Vocal Performance, and received his Ph.D. in Choral Music Education from Florida State University. His ensembles have performed at state, regional and national conventions and have traveled extensively, performing in Mexico, Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Russia, Bulgaria and Australia. Crabb also served as assistant conductor at the Russian/American Choral Symposium for two years where his choir was invited as the resident American choir at the Moscow Conservatory. He served for one year as a visiting professor in Salzburg, Austria, where he taught and worked with the choir of the Salzburg Cathedral. He has taught eighteenth-century music in London, England, and studied sixteenth century polyphony in Italy with the renowned Peter Phillips. More recently he served as Guest Visiting Choral Professor at the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary - the first American selected for that position. In 2007 he became the first American conductor invited to lecture in the Choral Department at the University of Vienna’s Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst, before performing and lecturing that same year in Italy and Taiwan. In 2008 Crabb accepted the position as Resident Guest Conductor of the Baroque Orchestra of Domenica Cimarosa in Avellino, Italy, where he has conducted performances in the Naples and the Amalfi Coast region for the past several years and recently completed a recording project with the same ensemble. He also accepted a position as the resident conductor for the Dante Music and Arts Festival in Nagoya, Japan during March of 2010. Performances scheduled in 2011 include Rome, Italy and Curitiba, Brazil.

Patrick Dell!, composer | piano (Season 3, 6, 7, 9, 10)

Patrick Dell! graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Missouri in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, and recently completed coursework for the Master of Music in Music Education with Distinction from Boston University. He studied piano with Peter Miyamoto and Ayako Tsuruta, and composition with W. Thomas McKenney and Stefan Freund. His compositions and arrangements have been performed by ensembles ranging from various Missouri marching bands to the US Coast Guard Saxophone quartet. A versatile musician, he has appeared as a soloist in Carnegie Hall, yet has been spotted in secluded corners of various restaurants and bars, providing background music for patrons. He has performed nationally as a soloist, collaborative artist, and ensemble member. Since 2007, Mr. Dell has worked as the choir director for the Gasconade County R-1 School District in Hermann, where his students continually enjoy All-State and All-District ensemble placements and his choirs consistently receive I (Superior) ratings. He is sought after as an ensemble sight-singing clinician, and his students' achievements helped his school district earn the 2012 MSBA/MFAA District of Distinction in the Arts Award.

Holly Dinkel, clarinet (Season 10)

Sophomore Holly Dinkel came to Columbia from St. Joseph, Missouri to pursue chemical engineering and music degrees at the University of Missouri. A clarinetist of eight years, saxophonist of six years and bassoonist of three years, she has acquired experience in a variety of ensembles, performing standards in concert band, jazz band, orchestral, pit, chamber and solo settings. Holly recently won the Mary Mottl Memorial Scholarship for her clarinet performance of Osborne’s Rhapsody and Weber’s Concerto No. 1 in the S.A.I. - St. Louis Scholarship Competition. She is indebted with gratitude to her teachers—Paul Garritson, Roy Maxwell, Elizabeth Roberts and Richard Yeager—for nourishing her understanding and appreciation of music and performance. Holly currently enjoys membership in Symphonic Band and Bassoon Ensemble at the University of Missouri.

Edward Dolbashian, conductor (Season 3, 8)

Edward Dolbashian has been Director of Orchestras and Orchestral Conducting Studies at the University of Missouri since 1985. He is also currently Music Director of the Alton Symphony, in Alton, Illinois, the Clayton Symphony Orchestra in Clayton, Missouri, and the Compton Heights Concert Band of St. Louis. Under the leadership of Professor Dolbashian, the University Philharmonic has received numerous awards and invitations to perform throughout the state including four appearances at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conferences in 1987, 1992, 2001, and 2005. In 1996, the Philharmonic was awarded the prestigious honor of performing at the biennial meeting of the Music Educators National Conference in Kansas City. Most recently, in April 2006, the University Philharmonic was again selected to perform at Music Educators National Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. As Music Director of these organizations, Mr. Dolbashian presents over thirty concerts a year throughout Missouri and Illinois, covering a range of repertoire from Mahler to Sousa. His concerts feature a wide variety of renowned artists, including the late, legendary baritone William Warfield, violinists Philip Quint, David Halen, Xiang Gao, and jazz greats Doc Severinsen, and Peter Nero, and Arturo Sandoval. His guest conducting activities have included concerts with the Festival Orchestra of the International Festival of Music in Belem, Brazil, the Londrina Symphony, in Londrina, Brazil, the Missouri Chamber Orchestra, the Gateway Symphony Orchestra, and, several performances with the St. Louis Philharmonic. Mr. Dolbashian is also an accomplished oboist. His professional performing career began at age seventeen with a solo debut performance at New York City's Town Hall. Before moving to Missouri, Mr. Dolbashian was a member of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra for ten years, and, served as oboist of the Hartford Symphony Woodwind Quintet. In 1982, he joined the Hartford Chamber Orchestra as principal oboist, and served for three years. Mr. Dolbashian's formal musical training began at the renowned High School of Performing Arts in New York City as an oboe and piano major. He holds degrees in oboe performance from the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut, and in orchestral conducting from Yale University where he studied under Otto Werner-Mueller. Further conducting study included several summers at the Pierre Monteux Conducting Seminar under Charles Bruck, the Boris Goldovsky Opera Conducting Seminar, the Herbert Blomstedt Conducting Seminar, and the Tanglewood Festival under Leonard Bernstein, Gustav Meier, and Seiji Ozawa.

Stefanie Duff, soprano (Season 9)

Stefanie Duff, soprano, is completing a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Communication with a minor in Spanish at the University of Missouri, where she studies vocal performance under Jo Ella Todd. She also has studied opera in Salzburg, Austria with Miami Frost School of Music and La Musica Lirica in Italy. She has sang roles of Il Destino from Cavalli’s La Calisto, and Amor from Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea and was a chorus member in Verdi’s Rigoletto under the direction of Dr. Joseph Rescigno. She also studied with Brian Leeper of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Italian coach Ubaldo Fabbri, and Dennis Jesse of Louisiana State University. At the University of Missouri, she sang the role of Gianetta from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore and Fiordiligi from Mozart’s Così fan tutte, was a Grisette in The Merry Widow, and a chorus member in La Traviata. Stefanie received an Honorable Mention in Missouri NATS competition, sings with Pediatric Princesses for Children’s Hospital and performs the National Anthem at various events. Outside of her musical studies, Ms. Duff works for the Office of Visitor Relations as a Mizzou Tour Team Co-Chair and leads several volunteer efforts in Columbia including Rockin’ Against Multiple Sclerosis and the Sean & Jeremy Memorial 5K Race. She is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, an alumnae of the MU Chancellor’s Leadership Class and received the Top Academic Scholarship for Juniors through the Music School. She serves as an officer of Mortar Board National Honor Society and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, was honored as one of the MU Homecoming 30 Finalists and was named one of the Mizzou 39 Top Seniors.

Hailed as “friendly, unpretentious, idealistic, and highly skilled” by the New Yorker, eighth blackbird is widely lauded for its unusual performing style – often playing from memory with theatrical flair – and for its efforts to make new music accessible to wider audiences. Since its founding in 1996, the sextet has actively commissioned and recorded new works; recent commissions include a concerto from Jennifer Higdon and pieces from Steve Reich, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Steven Mackey, David Lang, Stephen Hartke, and Bruno Mantovani. The group’s CD strange imaginary animals won two Grammy Awards in 2008, including one for Best Chamber Music Performance.

Now celebrating its 15th season, eighth blackbird showcases music by the two most recent Pulitzer Prize-winning composers in its 2010-11 recording and performing repertoire, featuring new and recent works (written expressly for the ensemble) by both Jennifer Higdon and Steve Reich. Headlining the group’s season is its new politically-driven two-part program "PowerFUL/less", tackling Stravinsky's provocative statement questioning the value, meaning and power of art. The ensemble will curate and perform in Park Avenue Armory’s new “Tune-In” contemporary music festival in New York City. Other highlights include a return to Zankel Hall; performances at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art; a tour of Higdon’s new concerto On a Wire with several high-profile orchestras; Reich festivals on both sides of the Atlantic – at Carnegie Hall and at London’s Barbican Hall; a return to the Library of Congress for a concert that includes the world premiere of a new work by Stephen Hartke; and a new CD featuring Reich’s prize-winning Double Sextet on Nonesuch, which was released in September 2010.

Last season eighth blackbird made its debut at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, playing the world premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Grazioso!, and presented a new version of Schoenberg's Pierrot lunaire. The ensemble premiered Slide, a new music-theater piece by Rinde Eckert and Steven Mackey, at the Ojai Music Festival (where eighth blackbird acted as Music Director for the 2009 season), and it held a week-long residency at the Curtis Institute of Music. Highlights of past seasons have included performances in South Korea, Mexico, the UK, the Netherlands, and at nearly every major chamber music venue in North America. eighth blackbird was honored in 2007 with the American Music Center’s Trailblazer Award and a Meet The Composer Award, and the group’s numerous competition wins include the Grand Prize at the Concert Artists Guild International Competition and the Naumburg Chamber Music Award. The sextet has been profiled in the New York Times and featured on CBS News Sunday Morning and Bloomberg TV’s Muse. eighth blackbird has recorded for the Cedille, Nonesuch and Naxos labels, and is represented by David Lieberman Artists' Representative.

In the summer of 2011, three musicians and educators found themselves bitterly missing the hardworking, collaborative atmosphere of the collegiate choral ensemble. The concept of Élan formed over countless meetings, brainstorming sessions, and shared meals. The founders (Robin Anderson, Trent Rash, & Jazz Rucker) constructed a diverse program and select member list with the vision of sharing choral literature in a non-traditional, dynamic manner. From there, the ensemble flourished organically, drawing singers, educators, and audiences from around Missouri. The group does not follow one conductor, but shares artistic decisions in the hopes of creating a truly collaborative musical product and bringing meaningful experiences to listeners.

Carol Elliott, cello (Season 1-10)

Carol Elliott is principal cellist of the Columbia Civic Orchestra. She has been an Odyssey Chamber Music Series artist since the series began in 2004. Carol has performed in San Antonio, Texas, Charlotte, North Carolina and St. Louis, where she was a member of the Muny Opera orchestra. Carol holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Cello Performance from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and Northern Illinois University, respectively. As a student at Northern Illinois University, she was coached in chamber music by members of the Vermeer Quartet and played in the Rockford, Illinois, and Beloit-Janesville, Wisconsin symphonies. In 1980, Carol was a fellowship student at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Carol’s cello teachers include Raymond Stuhl, Carleton Spotts, Marc Johnson, Dan Zollars, and Darry Dolezal.

Chris Farris, trumpet (Season 3-5, 7, 9)

Originally from Moberly, Chris Farris held the position of Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Missouri where he performed with the Faculty Brass Quintet in addition to maintaining a private studio. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Central Missouri and a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance from the University of Missouri. Farris has performed with ensembles such as the Missouri Symphony Orchestra and the award winning Fountain City Brass Band. He has also performed with artist such as Lou Rawls, Art Garfunkel, and The Fifth Dimension. Having completed his masters degree in May 2008, he now teaches instrumental music at Oakland Junior High and Lange Middle School. In addition to teaching, Farris remains active as a performer and private instructor.

Stefan Freund, composer | conductor | violoncello (Season 1, 2, 7, 9)

Stefan Freund received a BM with High Distinction from the Indiana University School of Music and an MM and a DMA from the Eastman School of Music. His primary composition teachers included Pulitzer Prize winners Christopher Rouse and Joseph Schwantner as well as Augusta Read Thomas, Frederick Fox, Claude Baker, David Dzubay, and Don Freund, his father. He studied cello with Steven Doane, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, and Peter Spurbeck, among others. He is presently Associate Professor of Composition and Music Theory at the University of Missouri. Previously he was Assistant Professor of Composition at the Eastman School of Music. Freund is the recipient of two William Schuman Prizes and the Boudleaux Bryant Prize from BMI, five ASCAP Morton Gould Grants, twelve ASCAP Plus Awards, a Music Merit Award from the National Society of Arts and Letters, and the Howard Hanson Prize. He was selected as the 2004 Music Teachers National Association-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year. In 2006 he was awarded the MU Provost’s Outstanding Junior Faculty Research and Creative Activity Award. Freund has received commissions from the Carnegie Hall Corporation, the Phoenix Symphony, the New York Youth Symphony, the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, the Verdehr Trio, the Louisville String Quartet, the Prism Brass Quintet, and SCI/ASCAP. His music has been performed at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Weill Recital Hall, NPR's St. Paul Sunday Morning, the National Gallery of Art, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Art Institute of Chicago. International performances include the Berliner Philharmonie, International Performing Arts Center (Moscow), Glinka Hall (St. Petersburg), Tivoli Theater (DK), Queen's Hall (DK), the Bank of Ireland Performing Arts Centre, and other halls in Austria, Germany, and Greece. His works have been recorded on the Innova, Crystal, and Centaur labels. Active as a performer and producer of new music, Freund is the founding cellist of the new music ensemble Alarm Will Sound and serves on its production board. His cello performances include Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, the Hermitage Theatre (RU), the Muzikgebouw (ND), the World Financial Center, and Miller Theatre. He has recorded on the Nonesuch, Cantaloupe, and I Virtuosi labels as well as Sweetspot Music DVD. Since 2004 he has served as the Music Director of the Columbia Civic Orchestra.

Briana Joy Frieda, viola (Season 7, 8, 9)

Briana Joy Frieda is a senior at the University of Missouri where she is pursuing her Bachelors of Music in viola performance. A frequent guest of the Odyssey Chamber Music Series, Briana is currently principal violist in the University Philharmonic as well as in the Columbia Civic Orchestra. The last two years, Briana has placed runner-up and honorable mention, respectively, in the senior strings division of the Missouri Music Teachers Association annual competition. In addition to performing, Briana has a busy teaching schedule as part of the Missouri String Project and the Community Music Program (both through the University) as well as a private studio. Briana is studying with Professor Leslie Perna, and studied previously with members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Leonid Gotman and Gerry Fleminger. Following her graduation in the spring of 2013, Briana plans to earn her PhD in musicology.

Paul Garritson, clarinet (Season 10+)

Paul Garritson joined the faculty at MU in 1986 as professor of clarinet. He completed the bachelor of arts degree at the University of California-Berkeley, and the master of music degree at Yale University. He has performed with numerous orchestras, including the St. Louis Symphony, the New Haven Symphony, the Orchestra of New England, and the State Ballet of Missouri. Professor Garritson performs regularly with the Gateway Festival Orchestra in St. Louis, with which he has soloed on several occasions. He was selected as principal clarinet for the east coast tour of the New Sousa Band with Keith Brion. Professor Garritson has performed as soloist at the annual meeting of the International Clarinet Society and has twice appeared in recital at the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium. Professor Garritson has taught at Principia College, Webster University, and Washington University in St. Louis. His students have won or placed in competitions sponsored by Missouri Music Teachers Association, the National Federation of Music Clubs, and at the state, regional, and national levels of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). Professor Garritson is a member of the Missouri Quintet, an ensemble-in-residence at MU, which made its Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1989 and performs both in the United States and abroad. In the most recent CD release of the Missouri Quintet (2001) on which several works for winds by composer David Maslanka were recorded, American Record Guide (March/April 2002) made note of Professor Garritson's performance of the unaccompanied work Little Symphony, stating, "[he] executes his part to perfection with a reading that is full of nuance and insight."

Anthony Gilbert, viola (Season 10)

Violist Anthony Gilbert is currently serving as Executive Director of the Eroica Ensemble. Born in Memphis, he grew up playing violin in the Memphis Civic Orchestra, and community orchestra conducted by his grandfather, Noel Gilbert. After graduating from White Station High he went to Oberlin College. Upon his graduation from Oberlin in 2001, Anthony moved to Chicago where he earned a Master of Music degree in viola performance from Roosevelt University and was a violist with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. He was the violin teacher at the Merit School of Music and served as a member of the faculty at Northeastern Illinois University. Now living in Memphis, he can be heard on I Can’t Stop and Everything is OK, two recent albums from legendary soul-singer Al Green as well as Roots and Crowns, the latest recording from the Chicago-based band, Califone.

Daniel Gilbert, violin (Season 10)

Daniel Gilbert is a free-lance violinist currently residing in Memphis. He performs regularly with the Memphis Symphony and the Arkansas Symphony. He is the concertmaster of the Corinth Symphony in Mississippi and a former member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from Roosevelt University in addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music/Liberal Arts from Indiana University. He holds a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from the University of Memphis. Mr. Gilbert has performed in music festivals in Colorado, Prague, Japan, and Corsica.

Anthony Glise, guitar (Season 8, 9)

Anthony Glise earned his MM in Classical Guitar Performance at New England Conservatory (Boston) with additional study at Konservatorium der Stadt (Vienna) and diplomas in 19th-Century performance practice from ARCUM (Rome), Accademia degli Studi, “L’Ottocento” (Vigevano and Pieve di Teco, Italy). His primary teachers include Pepe Romero, Christopher Parkening and conductor, Benjamin Zander. Glise also holds language diplomas from the Université Catholique de Lille (France) and the Universität-Wien (Vienna, Austria). He is the only American-born guitarist to win first prize at the International Toscanini Competition (Italy) and the only guitarist ever awarded the “Individual Artist of the Year” by the Missouri Arts Council (2006) with citations from the Missouri State Senate and House of Representatives. Glise has also won awards for composition at Ville Sable-sur-Sarthe (France), ARCUM (Rome), and the Nemzetközi Gitárfesztivál (Hungary). He is author/editor of over 60 musical editions and books for “The Anthony Glise Editions” (Willis Music Company), “The Anthony Glise Urtext Editions” (Mel Bay Publications) and “The Original Compositions of Anthony Glise” (Ævia Publications-France). Glise has premiered his original compositions and performed in New York (including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center), Chicago (Dame Myra Hess Concert Series and other venues), Rome (Santa Maria degli Angeli), Vienna (Vienna International Center), Lille (Nouveau Siècle of the French National Orchestra), and Esztergom (Hungary). His articles have appeared in The Soundboard (US), Guitar International (England), and Gitarre und Laute (Germany), and Glise has acted as Artist-in-Residence and Touring Artist for numerous US state arts councils and similar European programs. To-date, Glise has released nine CDs and DVDs which have consistently received 5-star reviews in magazines including The Soundboard, Guitar Player Magazine, Gramophone, Audiophile (US), Les Cahiers de la Guitare, Le Diapiason (France), Luster (Holland), Gitarre Aktuelle, Gitarre und Laute (Germany), Tarkus (Norway), Classica (Italy), etc. These recordings feature traditional works and original compositions (solo, chamber, choral, orchestral and ballet). His first recording, Overview, was chosen as one of the year’s “Top-5 Classical Releases” by Vienna Life Magazine (Austria), along with recordings by Murray Perahia and Leonard Bernstein. Anthony’s non-classical activity includes work with the avant-garde ensemble, The Nova Project, featuring his original compositions with classical, rock and jazz artists including Ken Sugita (violin, French National Orchestra), Jan Akkerman (former lead guitarist for the Dutch group, Focus), et al. In 2006 Glise was elected to the board of an on-going project of the national French organization, Domaine Musique, to help develop better relations between French composers and feature film directors. He is the only non-French ever invited to that prestigious assembly. Glise directs both the St. Joseph International Guitar Festival (US) and the guitar festival, Six Strings and the Spirit held in Chartres, France. Official Website: www.AnthonyGlise.com

Michael Hill, horn (Season 7, 8)

A native of Spring, Texas, Michael Justus Hill is currently a senior studying horn performance at the University of Missouri. He is an avid chamber music performer and was selected to perform as fourth hornist during the Missouri Symphony’s 2009 summer festival. Michael has successfully competed at solo competitions sponsored by the 2008 Missouri Music Teachers Association, the 2009 Music Teachers National Association of Missouri, the 2010 International Women’s Brass Conference and the 2010 Mid-South Horn Workshop. Michael recently advanced to the national level of the 2011 Music Teachers National Association and competed in Milwaukee in late March.

Timothy Howe, trombone (Season 10)

Dr. Timothy Howe received a Bachelor of Music degree in trombone performance from Northwestern University in 1983, where he was a student of the late Chicago Symphony trombonist, Frank Crisafulli. Shortly after his graduation from Northwestern, Dr. Howe was appointed Second Trombone of the Omaha Symphony in 1983. He served in this position for over 20 years, performing everything from great symphonic and operatic masterworks to concerts with popular music artists and educational programs. In addition to his orchestra duties, Dr. Howe was a member of the Omaha Symphony Brass Quintet. During his time in Omaha, Dr. Howe also was appointed Principal Trombone of the Lincoln (NE) Symphony, a position he held from 1997-2003, and Principal Trombone of the Des Moines Metro Opera, a position which he still currently holds. He also performs regularly with the Shreveport Symphony, the Arkansas Symphony, South Arkansas Symphony, and is currently Principal Trombone of the Pine Bluff (AR) Symphony. Dr. Howe received a Master of Music degree in 1995 and a Doctor of Musical Arts in 2002 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and was a student of Vernon Forbes and Dr. Scott Anderson. He has received additional instruction and master classes with Max Bonecutter, Glenn Dodson, and Michael Mulcahy. Dr. Howe’s thesis was entitled: Developing a Historical Model for Trombone Performance Practice in German and Austrian Orchestral Works from the Period 1785-1830. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln honored Dr. Howe as a distinguished arts alumni and he performed a guest recital on campus in 2004. In addition he has performed solo recitals and concerto performances at colleges in Michigan, Indiana, Arkansas, Nebraska and Iowa. In May 2006 and 2008 he presented master classes and recitals at the Sichuan Conservatory in Chengdu, China. Recent premieres include Episodes for Trombone and Timpani by Phillip Parker at the South Central Conference of the College Music Society, and Fanfare for Trombone and Computer by Jeremy Baguyos at the Society for Electro Acoustic Music in the United States National Conference at Iowa State University. He has been a region jazz clinician in Arkansas and president of the Arkansas Jazz Educators Association. Dr. Howe teaches trombone, low brass methods and directs the Trombone Choir at the University of Missouri. Before coming to Missouri, Dr. Howe was Assistant Professor of Music at Arkansas Tech University. He has also served as a faculty member at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Grace University, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Dana College, Concordia College, and Union College.

I Quattri Venti (Season 10)

I Quattri Venti is comprised of four flutists who met while studying in the Graduate program at the University of Missouri. Though two have recently completed their studies at MU, the quartet continues to rehearse and perform for special events across the Columbia area. With an eclectic array of interests, tastes, and talents, I Quattri Venti delights in showcasing many musical styles. Justin Cook began studying flute in 1996 with St. Louis Archdiocese Composer-in-Residence Richard Wappel. Since then, he has performed both in the United States and abroad, and has had the opportunity to study with such excellent flutists as Steve Geibel, Patricia George, Greg Pattillo, and Alice Dade. Cook is currently working toward a master’s degree in flute performance and a jazz studies certificate at the University of Missouri.

Elysia Crecelius recently completed her MM in Flute Performance at the University of Missouri where she studied with Steven Geibel and Alice K. Dade and served as the Flute Studio Teaching Assistant. She performed in various chamber groups including the Graduate Woodwind Quintet and was an instructor for the Community Music Program. She currently teaches flute lessons through her own private studio in Columbia.

Mary Jamerson is currently working to complete her master's degree at the University of Missouri Columbia. She is the flutist in the Mizzou New Music Ensemble and is a member of the University Philharmonic Orchestra. A native of Kansas City, Mary has enjoyed performing with many of the various ensembles of the region.

Katie Smyth currently teaches flute in Columbia, where she recently completed a Masters of Music Degree in Flute Performance at the University of Missouri studying with Alice K. Dade. Katie performs with the Missouri Symphony Society and New Music Festival in addition to coaching several junior high and high school camps and ensembles. Previously, she spent five years teaching instrumental music and running her own flute studio in the St. Louis metro area.

Susan Jensen, violin (Season 2~10)

Susan Jensen has concertised throughout the United States, Europe and Asia as a respected performer and proponent of new music. As an active chamber musician and recording artist (Orfeo and RCM labels) in the Los Angeles area for over a decade, Ms. Jensen held key posts with the critically-acclaimed contemporary music group XTET, the Southwest Chamber Music Society and was a tenured member of the Los Angeles Opera, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and associate concertmaster of the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra. Additionally, Ms. Jensen garnered extensive motion picture and television credits, as well as performances on record projects for Jeff Lynne, Brian Wilson, Laurence Juber, Aerosmith, Bill Medley, and many others. Thereafter, Ms. Jensen joined the Colorado-based Da Vinci String Quartet; a position including an active touring schedule, a statewide subscription concert series, a faculty appointment at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music and an artist residency at Colorado College. In 2006, Ms. Jensen relocated to Boston, Massachusetts where she has performed with the Boston Ballet, the Boston Landmarks Orchestra and various chamber music ensembles. Ms. Jensen is a graduate of the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she studied with Dorothy DeLay and the LaSalle and Tokyo string quartets. A student of Eudice Shapiro, Ms. Jensen received a M.M. at the University of Southern California where she was an Alpert Merit Scholar, as well as the recipient of the George Kast Award. Ms. Jensen plays a 1697 G.B. Rogeri violin.

Darrell J. Jordan, baritone (Season 10+)

Darrell J. Jordan, lyric baritone, comes from St. Louis, Missouri. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in both psychology and music and a Master’s of Music in voice performance from the University of Missouri. He is an active concert soloist, with recent engagements including Handel’s Messiah with Columbia’s Civic Orchestra, Beethoven’s Fantasia in c minor, Op. 80 with the University of Missouri Philharmonic, and Fauré’s Requiem in d minor, Op. 48 for the Rolla Choral Arts Society. Additionally, he is a frequent guest musician for the Odyssey Chamber Music Series. In 2014, he will appear as a guest artist in The Marriage of Figaro as Count Almaviva for Central Methodist University, as well as performing in the chorus for Winter Opera Saint Louis. His favorite operatic roles include Guglielmo from Così fan tutte, Dandini from La Cenerentola, Papageno from The Magic Flute, Marcello from La Bohème, and Betto from Gianni Schicchi. He has won both the Upper Voice and Graduate Voice divisions at MMTA, and has twice received Honorable Mention at NATS in the Graduate Division. He is a member of Missouri Music Teacher Association (MMTA) and Pi Kappa Lambda, and is an alumnus of the music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He is currently a singer in the vocal consort Élan, and has also taken on the role of Business Manager for the Columbia Chorale and Columbia Youth Chorus. Mr. Jordan serves on the music faculty at Central Methodist University, in addition to teaching at Columbia Academy of Music. He has held master classes for high schools in Missouri and is an adjudicator for both local and statewide vocal competitions.

William J. Lackey, composer (Season 9)

William J. Lackey is Assistant Teaching Professor of Composition and Managing Director of the Mizzou New Music Initiative (MNMI) at the University of Missouri. Serving as Managing Director of MNMI, funded by the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation, he oversees an array of programs intended to position the School of Music as a leading center for the creation and performance of new music. Recently, Lackey was selected as a McKnight Visiting Composer with the American Composers Forum. His music was featured at the Beijing Modern Music Festival, University of Central Missouri New Music Festival, and the Etchings Festival for Contemporary Music (Auvillar, France). The California E.A.R. Unit, New York Art Ensemble, newEar contemporary chamber ensemble, Quixotic Performance Fusion, saxophonist Keith Michael Bohm, percussionist Joby Burgess, clarinetist Alan Hacker, mezzo-soprano Linda Hirst, soprano Rebecca Sherburn, and percussionist Bill Solomon have performed Lackey’s music. In 1998, Lackey won the New York Art Ensemble’s Young Composers Competition (now the Tribeca New Music Young Composer Competition). Lackey received numerous scholarships and fellowships to participate in Troika Ranch’s 2008 Live – I Workshop held at the 3LD Art and Technology Center (New York, NY), Bowdoin International Summer Music Festival, Dartington International Summer School’s 2002 Advanced Composition Seminar (Devon, England), 2001 Chamber Music Conference and Composers’ Forum of the East (Bennington, VT). Lackey holds the M.M. and D.M.A. in music composition from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri - Kansas City. While at UMKC, he studied composition with James Mobberley, Paul Rudy, Chen Yi, and Zhou Long. Lackey received the B.M. in theory/composition from Christopher Newport University (Newport News, VA) where he studied composition with Jennifer Margaret Barker. For further information on his music, visit www.williamjlackey.com.

Sarah Lucas, oboe (Season 8)

Sarah Lucas is a second-year master’s student at the University of Missouri pursuing an M.A. in Music History. Ms. Lucas is a native of Clinton, Missouri, where she taught oboe lessons and directed the Clinton Community Band. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. While at Central Methodist, she participated in numerous instrumental and vocal chamber ensembles, as well as Chorale, Conservatory Singers, the Marching Eagle Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band. Ms. Lucas served as drum major and student music festival coordinator, and toured with both the Chorale and Concert Band as a featured soloist. In 2010 she was awarded the Alpha Chi National Honor Society Sledge Fellowship for her research and lecture recital on Telemann’s Methodical Sonata in E minor. At the University of Missouri, Ms. Lucas is the graduate teaching assistant for music history and has played oboe and English horn in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the University Philharmonic. She has also participated in chamber groups and the Columbia Civic Orchestra. She has studied oboe with Meribeth Risebig and Dan Willett.

David Ludwig, composer (Season 4, 10)

David Ludwig’s music has been called “entrancing,” and that it “promises to speak for the sorrows of this generation,” (Philadelphia Inquirer). It has further been described as “arresting and dramatically hued” (The New York Times) and has been noted for “music supercharged with electrical energy and raw emotion” (Fanfare). The Chicago Tribune says that he “deserves his growing reputation as one of the up-and-comers of his generation.” NPR Music picked him as one of the Top 100 Composers Under Forty in the world in 2011. In 2013, Ludwig's choral work, “The New Colossus,” was selected to open the private prayer service for the 57th Presidential inauguration of Barack Obama.Ludwig has written for many prominent artists, including soloists Jonathan Biss and Jaime Laredo, ensembles like eighth blackbird and ECCO, and orchestras including the Philadelphia, Minnesota, and National Symphonies. Residencies with arts institutions at home and abroad include Marlboro, the Gardner Museum, the Ravinia Steans Institute, the MacDowell and Yaddo colonies, and the Seoul University and Shanghai International Festival. Ludwig directs summer composition programs at the Lake Champlain Festival and the Atlantic Music Festival, and he is the artistic director of the Curtis Institute Young Artist Summer Program. He has won numerous awards and honors from nationally recognized arts organizations, including the Theodore Presser Foundation, the Independence Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Born in Bucks County, P.A., Ludwig comes from a family lineage of musicians that includes his grandfather Rudolf Serkin, and great-grandfather Adolf Busch. He holds degrees from Oberlin, The Manhattan School, Curtis, and Juilliard, as well as a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. Ludwig is on the composition faculty of Curtis where he serves as the Dean of Artistic Programs and as the director of the 20/21 Ensemble. www.davidludwigmusic.com

Grace Lyden, piano (Season 8, 9)

A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Grace Lyden began piano studies at age five, and went on to study piano with Beverly Hoff, Jerri Niver, Karen Johnson and James Johnson. Ms. Lyden currently studies piano with Dr. Peter Miyamoto at the University of Missouri, where she is double majoring in Journalism and Piano Performance. Over the summer, she studied with Eugene Pridonoff at the Brevard Music Center. She performed in the MU Emerging Artist Showcase of 2011 and plays for the MU Concert Jazz Band, as well as university classical and jazz chamber ensembles. Ms. Lyden won Honorable Mention at the SAI Scholarship Competition in February 2011 and attended the International Society of Improvised Music conference in Michigan later that semester with the MU Creative Improvisation Ensemble. She has also been the accompanist for the Missouri Symphony Children's Choir since coming to MU. After being named the 2003 KVNO Classical Kid, Ms. Lyden went on to win second prize in the 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008 Omaha Music Teachers Association (OMTA) Young Artist’s Piano Competitions, first alternate in the 2005, 2006 and 2009 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Junior and Senior Performance Competitions, and first prize in the 2008 MTNA Senior Performance Competition. She was also a finalist in the 2008 Orchestra Omaha Concerto Competition and won 3rd prize in the 2010 Nebraska Federation of Music Honors Scholarship Competition. In 2008, her piano trio, the Trio DePaz, won 2nd prize in the Lincoln Friends of Chamber Music competition. She participated in Nebraska All State Music ensembles for three years in a row as a saxophonist and jazz pianist, and she served as drum major for her high school marching band for two years.

Patrizia Maggio, violin (Season 10)Permanent violin teacher at Conservatorio di Musica “D.Cimarosa” of Avellino, she took part to numerous training courses all over Italy: in Riva Del Garda with Maestro Ruggero Ricci; in Roma with Maestro Mila Costisella for violin and with Maestro Tamponi e Maestro Lanzillotta for chamber music; with Maestro Gatti and in Genova with Maestro Donella Terenzio for ancient music. She collaborated with New York University giving contemporary music courses and playing in chamber orchestra for many first performances.. At New York University she also collaborated with one of the major contemporary composer, Pavel Blatny. She recorded for Radio Vaticana, French Television, Radio Luxemburg and Radio Madrid as well as taking part to several recording session among which the one with Alma Mahler Simphonietta for NAXOS has particular importance. She played concerts in Italy and abroad in orchestra and in chamber orchestra collaborating, for exemple, with theatre foundations (San Carlo, Verdi...).Besides, With 'Trio i Nuovi Cameristi' she played first performances of italian and foreign composers. She currently plays in quartet.

Roberto Maggio, flute (Season 7, 10)

Roberto Maggio began his studies with Francesco Urciuolo at the Conservatory of Music in Avellino. He participated in seminars held by Robert Dick, Rien de Reede and Geoffrey Gilbert to study flute technique; he also studied contemporary flute repertoire with Brian Ferneyhough and Isang Yun. As a Roberto Fabbriciani’ s assistant, he has taught and performed throughout Italy, Europe and Asia. He has studied Composition with Aladino Di Martino and he was assistant to Pavel Blatny at the composition laboratory of the Abella Festival in collaboration with the New York University. Maestro Maggio began his flute studies at a young age, and collaborated in music and dance performances with Carla Fracci as well as in music and theatre performances with Nando Gazzolo, Virginio Gazzolo, Arnoldo Foà and Ugo Gregoretti. He has also been active in the study of the transverse flute in Baroque music. He recently co-founded the baroque ensemble Armonico Tributo, and studied this specialization in courses with Maestro Enrico Gatti in Solopaca. Demonstrating Maestro Maggio’s depth and versatility, he found the trio I Nuovi Cameristi, which specializes in the performance of contemporary chamber repertoire of Italian and international composers. He has also performed jazz repertoire for flute with the Classic Jazz Ensemble in cooperation with the saxophonist Federico Mondelci. Active also as a composer, his works La musica Greco-romana and Orgelflöte (Published by MUSIKHAUS KERSCHBAUM of Vienna) are frequently performed. Maestro Maggio is currently Professor of Flute at the Conservatory of Music in Avellino. In the last year 2007 he was visiting professor in USA at the University of Missouri-Columbia and at the Truman State University, where he gave performances and taught master classes. In July 2008 he taught at the Summer Arts Camp at the Silla University of Pusan (South Korea).

Erica Manzo, clarinet (Season 1-3, 6-8)

Erica Manzo joined the faculty at the University of Missouri in 2004 as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music. Her duties include/have included teaching applied clarinet, clarinet methods, courses in music theory and ear training, and serving as Coordinator of the Community Music Program.A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Dr. Manzo holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Theory from Baylor University, a Master of Music degree in Music Theory from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of Texas at Austin. Her principal clarinet instructors were Richard Shanley, Bil Jackson, and Richard MacDowell. She has also performed in masterclasses with Andrew Crisante, F. Gerard Errante, Loren Kitt, and Robert Spring. Dr. Manzo has appeared as a solo recitalist at three International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest conferences (Kansas City in 2008; Porto, Portugal in 2009; and the University of Texas at Austin in 2010). She also presented a solo recital at the prestigious University of Oklahoma’s Clarinet Symposium in 2008. At the ClarinetFest in Porto, she premiered a piece written for her by Barton Cummings, entitled Diversions for Clarinet and Band. She has also performed with the Acadian Wind Symphony, the Missouri Quintet, the Missouri Symphony Orchestra since 2004, and in 2006 was a guest lecturer at the College Music Society's Great Plains Chapter Annual Conference. Her transcription of Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet, Op. 44, for clarinet quartet and piano is published by Alea Publishing. Dr. Manzo maintains a large, private clarinet studio in Columbia, MO. She also actively serves as a clinician, adjudicator, instructor in the Columbia Public Schools, and a recitalist throughout Missouri. In addition, she serves as Executive Secretary of the Missouri Music Teachers Association. Dr. Manzo is a member of the College Music Society, International Clarinet Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.

Ian McClaflin, percussion (Season 9)

Ian McClaflin is a first year percussion performance major at the University of Missouri where he studies with Julia Gaines. He has a Bachelor's degree in music performance from the University of Central Missouri where he studied with Micheal Sekelsky. Ian teaches private lessons and works with many local area high schools. Along with working with local percussion sections Ian also writes for their marching band shows. During the drumline competition season, Ian judges local competitions. Ian has been the winner of the Mid Missouri Percussive Arts Trophy and the PASIC multi percussion competition. He helped create and is a member of the "Grease Monkeys", percussion group that plays at Kansas City's Worlds of Fun. Along with being an active member of the MU percussion studio, Ian is also a member of the Kansas City Chiefs drumline.

Missouri Contemporary Ballet (MCB) is a professional dance company that is committed to creating dance entertainment through the art of contemporary ballet. MCB creates exciting, edgy, hip entertainment to make the experience of live dance an artful and joyful event for all ages. New and emerging choreographers are given the opportunity to set new works on the MCB company dancers in a professional atmosphere. We provide educational and outreach performances to schools, retirement homes, and organizations throughout Missouri. MCB maintains a full season of performances at diverse venues within Columbia, as well as a commitment to touring throughout Missouri and nationally. MCB welcomes all observers during rehearsals Monday-Friday. Enjoy a cup of coffee at 110 Orr Street in the North District, and experience first hand the athleticism and energy of the MCB dancers! missouricontemporaryballet.com

Nancy Nehring, viola (Season 6, 9)

Nancy Nehring started out as a piano major at the University of Kansas, but ended up with a Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance (with Distinction), and a Master of Music in Viola from the University of Michigan. At Michigan, she was principal of the Contemporary Directions Ensemble and University Orchestra, as well as a member of the Graduate Quartet and the Ann Arbor Chamber Orchestra. Her teachers have included Michael Kimber, Frank Bundra, Nathan Gordon, and Wayne Crouse. A member of the Oklahoma Symphony for six years and Chamber Orchestra of Oklahoma City for five, she has also been assistant principal and principal of the Modesto Symphony and California Symphony, and a substitute with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. She played with the Sacramento Symphony, the Santa Cruz Symphony, the Women's Philharmonic, and the Saskatoon Symphony. Nancy also participated in many summer festivals and orchestras, including the Grand Teton Festival, Aspen, the Colorado Philharmonic (now the National Repertory Orchestra), the Peter Britt Festival, and the Orquesta de la Minería (in Mexico City). From 1999-2006, she was Principal Viola of the Brandon Chamber Players (in Manitoba) and performed with the Jarvis Quintet in Brandon & Toronto. She also sang with das Femmes (a womens’ chamber choir) and worked as Administrative Officer of the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition for 4 years. Since 2001 she has been co-dean and administrator of the Quartet Program, a chamber music summer school now based at State Univ. of NY at Fredonia. Nancy was the instructor of viola at Brandon University (BU) for five years and accompanied many BU students, including those of her husband, cellist Mark Rudoff. They moved to Columbus, Ohio in 2008, where Nancy now plays principal for the Central Ohio Symphony, freelances, and accompanies many students.

Shawn Nemati-Baghestani, oboe (Season 10+)Shawn Nemati-Baghestani graduated from the University of Missouri summa cum laude in 2013 with a Bachelor of Music in oboe performance. At Mizzou, he held principal chairs in both the Wind Ensemble and University Philharmonic. Shawn studied oboe with Dan Willett and Edward Dolbashian and performed in master classes with Daniel Stolper, Phil Ross and Andrew Parker. He also spent time with Eugene Izotov, Frank Rosenwein, and Alex Klein. As a member of Trio Nouveau, Shawn was a semi-finalist in the 2010 Plowman Chamber Music Competition and was featured on the Odyssey Chamber Music Series. In addition, he was the winner of the 2007 Mid-West Double Reed Society’s Young Artist Competition for oboe, was selected into a Missouri All-State ensemble for oboe every year and was selected as a member of the Missouri All-State Choir for two years as well. Along with these honors, he received several superior ratings in state competitions and graduated valedictorian of his senior class from Grandview High School. [Photo by Gene Royer]

Taylor Pancoast, soprano (Season 10)Taylor H. Pancoast, soprano, is from Columbia, Missouri. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and Music Minor from the University of Missouri. She is currently working towards a Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Missouri. During her undergraduate career, Ms. Pancoast helped to begin and accompany the a capella group, Grand Pause Tonic. She also performed in University Singers under the direction of Dr. R. Paul Crabb. She is the artistic director and founder of The Stethotones, a music interest group at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. The Stethotones have performed at Lenoir Nursing Home, Women and Children’s Hospital, St. Baldrick’s Fundraising Event, Gift of Body Commemoration Ceremony, and other various fundraising events sponsored by the School of Medicine.

Kristine Poulsen, flute (Season 10)

Kristine Poulsen has performed Mozart’s Flute Concertos with the Zealand Chamber Ensemble as well as Philip Sparke’s “A Lindisfarne Rhapsody” with The Danish Concert Band. Recent solo appearances include her Debut Concert (final soloist recital exam) where she performed pieces such as Widor: Suite, Debussy: Bilitis and Bach: B-Minor Suite. This concert also featured a unique performance of Varèse: Density 21.5 with choreographer and contemporary dancer, Tora Balslev. As a chamber musician, Kristine has performed a series of highly praised concerts in Denmark with her trio consisting of Eva Oestergaard (previous principal at The Royal Danish Opera) and pianist Kirsten Beyer Karlshoej. A sought after freelance musician, Kristine has worked with some of the finest orchestras in Denmark such as The Royal Danish Opera, The Copenhagen Philharmonic and The Copenhagen Mozart Players. Kristine holds an Advanced Postgraduate Degree in Solo Performance at The Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. During her studies she was chosen for the Erasmus program at the prestigious Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et Danse de Lyon in France to study with professors Philippe Bernold and Julien Beaudiment (principal, L. A. Philharmonic) Kristine is currently pursuing a Master’s in Music Education at the University of Missouri, where she also holds a teaching assistantship at the School of Music’s flute studio. This spring, she will be giving a solo recital at Whitmore Recital Hall in Columbia, Missouri, just as she can be heard in concert this summer in the beautiful Soroe Cathedral in Soroe, Denmark.

Emily Riekhof, oboe (Season 9)

Emily Riekhof is a sophomore at the University of Missouri-Columbia studying Music Performance and Spanish. Before studying privately with Dan Willett, she studied under H. Wakefield Foster. She has performed with various groups including the Missouri Youth Orchestra, Columbia Civic Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and the University Philharmonic. She played principle oboist in the Missouri All-State Band in 2010. Ms. Riekhof teaches privately. One of her most enlightening teaching experiences was subbing as band director for New Franklin R-1 School. Besides teaching, Ms. Riekhof spends an exorbitant amount of time in the University Double Reed Room fulfilling various duties, including, but not limited to, cleaning. In 2013, Ms. Riekhof will be studying music performance at Universidad Nacional in Heredia, Costa Rica through the IFSA Butler study abroad program.

Jason Riley, guitar (Season 9)

Guitarist Jason Riley has some of the most diverse experience in the music business. His formal degree in classical guitar and commercial music including study with Christopher Parkening, The L.A. Guitar Quartet, etc. Contrary to most classical guitarists, Jason’s professional experience has spanned nearly every style and includes composing, teaching, recording and performing. Jason has won competitions and reader’s polls in both the rock and country genres and has opened for such national acts as The Doobie Brothers, REO Speedwagon and The Little River Band. He has also made numerous radio and television appearances. Jason’s CDs include What Is and Shake, Rattle, Shatter with the rock group, Under the Influence, both of which were produced by platinum award-winner, Ken Paulakovich (Offspring, Gloria Estefan). He also released two solo CDs, Notes to Self (a compilation of original compositions) and Outtakes (original arrangements of traditional works). Jason has also been featured on the third CD (Hambone) from Nashville recording artists Pig Farmer. This varied experience has driven Jason to a tremendous recognition in improvisation. His work on-stage not only reflects his understanding of classical form and balance, but shows a highly original combination of this classical/rock/jazz background that very few guitarists can successfully execute in live performance. For more information about Jason Riley see: http://www.JasonRiley.com

Elizabeth Roberts, bassoon (Season 10)

Elizabeth Roberts is the Visiting Assistant Professor of Bassoon at the University of Missouri for the 2013-2014 academic year. Since 2001 she has been Principal Bassoon and Director of Youth Education for the Charlottesville Symphony, and she joined the faculty at the University of Virginia the same year. She freelances on bassoon and contrabassoon with the National Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Washington National Opera, Baltimore Symphony, Richmond Symphony, and Virginia Symphony. She was a 2008 Virginia Governor’s Award for the Arts nominee. Ms. Roberts earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of Illinois, a Professional Studies Diploma and a Bachelor of Music from the Harid Conservatory, and a Master of Music from the University of Southern California, where she was elected to Pi Kappa Lambda and USC Presidential Fellows. Her principal teachers were Arthur Weisberg, Stephen Maxym and Frank Morelli.

Mark Rudoff, cello (Season 6, 9)

Cellist Mark Rudoff has demonstrated extraordinary versatility as a performer and teacher. Students in the OSU cello studio share participate in an eclectic pedagogy, with influences ranging from legal discourse to sports, liberally spiced with passion and humor. Cello at OSU is about preparing the complete artist with musical, technical, intellectual and personal skills to bring their music to the world.

Applauded by critics as "an exceptionally gifted cellist" and “a charismatic performer,” Mark has performed in solo recitals and with orchestras in Canada and the United States, and his solo and chamber performances have been recorded for broadcast on CBC. A respected chamber musician, he performs with the Galileo Trio, Jarvis Quintet, Chiarina Piano Quartet, and Marble Cliff Chamber Players, and has performed as a guest with groups including the Music Project, Allegri Quartet, Mount Royal Woodwind Quintet, and Thomas and Isobel Rolston and Friends. Equally accomplished in the orchestra sphere, Mark has served as principal cello of the Calgary Philharmonic and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestras, and in the sections of orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Brooklyn Philharmonic and New York City Ballet, performing under such conductors as Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Lukas Foss and Aaron Copland. Mark has appeared as guest artist with the Canadian Chamber Choir and at the Winnipeg Symphony's Centara New Music Festival, New Music North, and the Grand Teton Music Festival.

Prior to joining the Ohio State faculty, Mark Rudoff was professor of cello, chamber music and orchestra at Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada. He teaches at and serves as Dean of The Castleman Quartet Program in residence at SUNY Fredonia; was artist-in-residence and chamber music instructor at the Mountain View Festival of Song in Sundre, Alberta; and from 2002-05 directed the Winnipeg Youth Symphony. He has delivered presentations on performance and pedagogy at the American String Teachers Association and College Music Society National Conferences, and students throughout Canada and the northern U.S. have enjoyed Mark’s work as an adjudicator and workshop clinician.

Mark earned Bachelor's and Master's of Music degrees from The Juilliard School, graduating with the Edward Steuermann Prize. He studied there with Harvey Shapiro, Lynn Harrell, Lorne Munroe and Joel Krosnick, and was appointed teaching assistant to the Juilliard Quartet. He later held a residency at The Banff Centre for the Arts, pursuing advanced studies with artists including Paul Tortelier, Anner Bylsma, Wieland Kuijken, Siegfried Palm, and Witold Lutoslawski. Mark also holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Saskatchewan, where he was appointed to the editorial board of the Saskatchewan Law Review and graduated with distinction in 1990. He enjoys the odd distinction of having published an article about music in the Alberta Law Review, and one with a legal slant in American String Teacher. Among activities in community, Mark has coached youth baseball and bowling, worked as a patient peer counselor for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada, and served on the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee of the Canadian Association of University Teachers.

Leo Saguiguit, saxophone | conductor (Season 1-10)

Leo Saguiguit enjoys a busy schedule teaching and performing as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and abroad, including Cuba, France, Italy, Sweden, Greece, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines. He collaborates with numerous chamber ensembles and currently performs with the Athens (Greece) Saxophone Quartet, the Chicago Saxophone Quartet, the Missouri Saxophone Quartet, Trio Chymera, and the Odyssey Chamber Music Series of Columbia. Past memberships have included the Lithium, Impuls, and Enigma Saxophone Quartets. With the Enigma Quartet, he earned a coveted prize in the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Other collaborations include performances with the Basel Saxophone Quartet (Switzerland), Fulcrum Point New Music Project (Chicago), Thamyris Contemporary Music Ensemble (Atlanta), National Black Arts Festival (Atlanta), and the Sewanee Music Festival (Tennessee). In addition to recitals and festival performances, he has performed at the China International Clarinet & Saxophone Music Festival in Nanning, the World Saxophone Congresses held in Minneapolis and Bangkok, and in numerous conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance and U.S. Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium. Saguiguit has appeared as concerto soloist with numerous orchestras and wind ensembles, including the St. Louis Civic Orchestra, Sewanee Festival Orchestra, Lakeshore Symphony of Chicago, Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band, University of Missouri Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, and a tour of France with the Northshore Concert Band. As an orchestral saxophonist, Saguiguit has performed regularly with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Milwaukee Symphony, Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Florida Orchestra, and Missouri Symphony. He has recorded six CDs with the professional wind ensemble Philharmonia à Vent and has also recorded solo and chamber music of Luc Marcel, John David Lamb, Michael Adamis, Athanasios Zervas, Dinos Constantanides, Dimitris Themelis, and others. Saguiguit is Associate Professor of Saxophone at the University of Missouri, where his students have won numerous competitions at the state, regional, and national levels. He has also given master classes and lectures at the University of Macedonia-Greece, Philippos Nakas Conservatory of Athens (Greece), Orfeion Conservatory of Athens (Greece), University of the Philippines College of Music, California Institute of the Arts, Southern Methodist University, Baylor University, Indiana State University, and numerous others. Prior to his appointment at the University of Missouri he held faculty positions at Northwestern University, Emory University, University of the South, Truett-McConnell College, and the Merit School of Music of Chicago. He earned degrees from Emory University as a student of Stutz Wimmer and Northwestern University, where he was a student of Frederick Hemke. Other teachers include Paul Bro and Jonathan Helton.

Ronaldo Sarmanho, violin (Season 8, 9)

Ronaldo Sarmanho
began his violin studies with Prof. Paulo Keuffer in Belém, Brazil at the age
of 11 soon developing intense musical activities as violinist of the UFPa
String Orchestra, Theatro da Paz Symphony Orchestra and then joining both the
Early Music Ensemble and the Jazz Group of the State of Pará Federal
University. He had participated in the most distinguished music festivals in
Brazil e. g. Pará International Festival, Londrina Music Festival, Juiz de Fora,
and FEMUSC having masterclasses with great violinists such as Miriam Fried,
Charles Stegeman, Sonja Van Beck, José Castillo, Leon Spierer among others. In
2008, He was invited to join the YOA (Youth Orchestra of the Americas) in an
international tour having the opportunity to share the stage with the conductor
Carlos Miguel Prieto, pianist Nelson Freire, cellist Antonio Meneses. At the
same year he was invited by Alex Klein to participate in the Oferenda Musical
Chamber Music Festival in São Paulo. Ronaldo develops the repertoire of violin
and piano with the pianist Renata Tavernard in a duo called Duo Deno. He earned
his bachelor degree in music in Prof Rucker Bezerra’s class in 2010. This spring,
he earned his masters degree in violin performance with Prof. Eva Szekely.

Brady Schach, trumpet (Season 9)

Brady Schach is the Graduate Trumpet Assistant at University of Missouri. He is a member of the faculty quintet and principal trumpet of the University Philharmonic Orchestra. He received his Bachelor's in Trumpet Performance from Western Illinois University where he was a winner of the University Concerto Competition in 2012.

Christine Seitz, soprano (Season 7, 10+)

Christine Seitz, is an established dramatic soprano, most recently appearing as soloist with the University of Missouri Choral Union under the direction of Paul Crabb in late April 2013. She also recently appeared with the Des Moines Metro Opera, singing the role of Madame Larina in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. She has appeared in past Odyssey Series programs, performing works by Leonard Bernstein, Arnold Schoenberg and Richard Strauss. She has sung operatic roles with the Seattle Opera, the Dallas Opera, Madison Opera, the Los Angeles Opera, the Toledo Opera, Kentucky Opera, the Florentine Opera of Milwaukee, Central City Opera, and in Europe with the Wuppertaler Bühnen and the Stadttheater Bern. She sang the leading role of Anna Clemenc in the world premiere of The Children of the Keweenaw, by composer Paul Seitz and librettist Kathleen Masterson, at the 2001 Pine Mountain Music Festival. She has also sung in concert with the Waukesha Symphony, the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, the Caramoor Festival, the Germanfest Symphony in Milwaukee, the Cincinnati May Festival and the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Ms. Seitz has sung in numerous recitals in New York City and throughout the Midwest, collaborating with pianists Steven Blier and Jessica Paul, and she has presented voice workshops and master classes in Houghton, Michigan, and the University of California-Irvine. She has been the Director of the University of Missouri’s Show-Me Opera since the fall of 2008, bringing productions of Mozart’s Così fan tutte and The Magic Flute, Rossini’s La Cenerentola, Lehar’s The Merry Widow and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Act II of La bohème to the stage of the Missouri Theatre. She has been on staff with the Des Moines Metro Opera as a stage director for the Apprentice Artist Program since 2006, and she recently also served as Assistant Director for their production of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette. She was the founding Opera Director for the Pine Mountain Music Festival in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, directing and producing operas there from 1992 through 2002. She received B.Mus. degrees in both applied voice and music education and an M.Mus. in applied voice from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She was the founding Artistic Director of Studio North Opera, a local arts organization in Houghton, Michigan, dedicated to presenting performances of operatic scenes to audiences in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A native of Madison, Wisconsin, she was a two-time winner of the Eastern Wisconsin Metropolitan Opera District Auditions.

Paul Seitz, composer | viola (Season 7-9)

Paul Seitz is a composer of opera and music for instrumental and vocal ensembles large and small. Supported by a Creation and Presentation Award by the National Endowment for the Arts, his opera, The Children of the Keweenaw (libretto by Kathleen Masterson), was premiered in 2001 by the Pine Mountain Music Festival. More recently, his music has been heard in 2013 performances by the contemporary music ensemble Bent Frequency in collaboration with CORE Dance Company of Atlanta, at the 2012 World Saxophone Congress at St. Andrew’s, Scotland, in 2012 concerts by the Codigo Trio in Spain and the Netherlands, and by Henri Bok, Eleri Ann Evans and Louis Afonso Montanho at the 2012 Festival Musica nas Montanhas in Brazil, by the MU Concert Jazz Band at the 2012 Jazz Education Network National Conference in Louisville, at the 2012 Mizzou New Music Summer Festival, by Clarinetes Bajos at the XVI Curso Internacional de Clarinete in Avila, Spain, in a 2012 world premiere by the University of Missouri's University Singers, in multiple programs presented in the Odyssey Chamber Music Series in Columbia, Missouri, in the 2013 Arnhem Muziek Platform concert series in Arnhem, Netherlands, the 2013 Mizzou International Composers Festival, at the University of Hartford, and in many beautiful performances by his colleagues at the University of Missouri, including two on campus premieres (so far, this year), and the 2013 premiere of La Terra Illuminata, a Sinquefield commission for the Columbia Civic Orchestra and the Columbia Chorale. Recent recordings featuring his music include Martyrs by the Codigo Trio (Netherlands), In a Nutshell (Netherlands) by bass clarinet virtuoso Henri Bok, Dialogues by The Irrelevants (Carrie Koffman, saxophones and Tim Deighton, viola), Tunnel Vision by the MU Concert Jazz Band and Spiritual Planet (Klavier) by the UNLV Wind Orchestra. Paul Seitz received a D.M.A. in Composition from the University of Wisconsin and a M.A. from Columbia University. His primary composition teachers were Stephen Dembski and Fred Lerdahl. He has taught Music Theory and Composition at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and at the University of Texas at Tyler, and Music Theory at the University of Wisconsin, as well as in his current appointment at the University of Missouri. Paul Seitz is also artistic director of New Chamber Music at the Calumet Art Center, presenting new works by composers with ties to Michigan's U.P. in early August of each year. For more information, please visit: www.paulseitz.net.

Erich Spaeth, percussion (Season 9)

Erich Spaeth earned a Bachelor’s of Music Education and a Bachelor’s of Music Performance in percussion from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) and is currently finishing a Master’s of Music Performance in percussion from the University of Missouri in Columbia. While at SWOSU, he performed with the SWOSU Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble “A.” While at Missouri, he performed with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, and Steel Band. Erich was a member of the 2009 Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps as well as a member of the 2012 Missouri Symphony Orchestra “Hot Summer Nights!” At the University of Missouri, he currently serves as a University Band Graduate Assistant conducting the 2012 Mini Mizzou Volleyball band as well as being the composer and instructor for the Marching Mizzou Drumline. Erich is currently a band director at Gentry Middle School in Columbia, teaching percussion classes.

Eva Szekely, violin (Season 1-4, 7, 8)

Professor Szekely has concertized throughout North America, Europe, and South America. She has appeared on the Musique en Seine series in France and the Lambach Festival in Austria. In Brazil, she has been a regular guest artist at the internationally acclaimed Chamber Music Festival of Pará and the Londrina Music Festival, and has presented concerts and masterclasses in all of that country's major musical centers. She has premiered works written and dedicated to her by distinguished contemporary composers including, among others, James Willey, Chester Biscardi, Erich Leitner, and Roberto Escobar. She has been heard on national radio and television broadcasts in the United States and abroad and has recorded for CRI and Albany Records. Professor Szekely received her bachelor of music and master of science degrees in violin performance from The Juilliard School, where she was a student of Ivan Galamian. She studied chamber music with Franco Gulli, Zoltan Szekely, and members of The Juilliard Quartet. She teaches violin and is first violinist of the Esterhazy Quartet, ensemble-in-residence at MU. She currently holds the Catherine P. Middlebush Chair in Fine Arts.

TRIO CHYMERA was formed in 2007 at the University of Missouri and explores music for the combination of two saxophones and piano through original compositions, arrangements, and commissions of new works. The ensemble has given performances throughout Missouri and the United States at the Odyssey Chamber Music Series of Columbia; Baylor University in Waco, Texas; Bruton Parish Church in Colonial Williamsburg; North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Conferences at the University of South Carolina (2008), University of Missouri (2009), University of Georgia (2010), Arizona State University (2012); and the 2011 U.S. Navy Band 34th International Saxophone Symposium in Fairfax, Virginia.Rachel AuBuchon performs frequently with faculty and students at the University of Missouri as a staff accompanist. Her engagements have included two performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall, North American Saxophone Conferences in 2008-10, the 2007 Missouri Music Educators Association Convention, and the 2005 National Association of Teachers of Singing Regional Convention. She earned a BM in piano performance from Truman State University under David McKamie, and a MM in accompanying at the University of Missouri under Janice Wenger and Natalia Bolshakova.Neil Ostercamphas performed throughout the country, appearing at New York’s Weill Recital Hall, and was a two-time national finalist in the MTNA chamber music competition. He is a founding member of Missouri Saxophone Quartet, Trio Chymera, Contreras Saxophone Quartet, and Free Collective. He earned his BS in music education and MM in saxophone performance at the University of Missouri under the instruction of Professor Leo Saguiguit. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in saxophone performance at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, where he is a student of Steve Stusek and Chad Eby. www.neilostercamp.comLeo Saguiguit has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and abroad, including Cuba, France, Greece, Sweden, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines. He maintains an active performance schedule as a member of the Athens (Greece) Saxophone Quartet, Chicago Saxophone Quartet, Missouri Saxophone Quartet, and Trio Chymera. He has performed regularly as saxophonist with the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, and Missouri Symphony. He earned music degrees from Emory University and Northwestern University, where he studied with Fred Hemke, Paul Bro, and Jonathan Helton. He is currently assistant professor of saxophone at the University of Missouri.

The University Percussion Ensemble (Season 9)

The University Percussion Ensemble is formed mostly of percussion undergraduate and graduate students within the School of Music at MU. Directed by Dr. Gaines for the past fifteen years, this ensemble has been selected twice to perform at MMEA (1999, 2011). The ensemble has been part of several new music commissions and actively encourages composers to write for the medium. Varying in size for each piece of literature, the group can be seen playing percussion orchestra music for fifteen or more players as well as chamber music in the form of trios and quartets. This ensemble is an elective for the students and most of them will participate in the class as their schedule allows. With much of the large ensemble percussion repertoire being limited to color and rhythmic punctuation, participating in percussion ensemble often gives the students challenges they have not experienced before when it comes to phrasing, communication, and self-direction. There is not a lot of Christmas music available for the percussion ensemble but when the opportunity does come around, the Richard Gipson arrangements performed tonight are the best way to go. These arrangements are available on CD if you’d like to amplify your current Christmas music collection. (Christmas Bells, Mallets & Drums by the University of Oklahoma percussion ensemble).

The Verdehr Trio (Season 9)

An acknowledged leader in the field of new music, the Verdehr Trio for over thirty years has concentrated on molding and defining the personality of the violin-clarinet-piano trio. The Trio has over the years created a large repertoire by commissioning over 200 new works from some of the world's most prominent and exciting composers--known and unknown, young and old, from this country and abroad. These efforts are entitled The Making of a Medium because, in a real sense, this is what has happened over the years.

A handful of earlier trios by Bartok, Stravinsky, Milhaud, Khachaturian, Berg, Krenek, Poulenc and Ives showed the potential tonal and musical possibilities of this grouping. Now, with more than 230 total works in this genre, the violin-clarinet-piano trio has become a viable chamber music medium whose substantial literature may be recognized together with other major mediums as the piano trio, woodwind and brass quintets and the piano quartet. To round out its repertoire with Classical and Romantic works, the Trio has rediscovered as well as transcribed 18th and 19th century pieces for inclusion in its concert programs.The Verdehr Trio has performed throughout the world: in seventeen European countries, the former Soviet Union, in South and Central America as well as in Asia, Australia and in almost all of the United States. Among major concert halls where the Trio has appeared are Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Library of Congress, Vienna's Brahmssaal, Sydney Opera House, London's Wigmore Hall, Auditorio de Madrid, Dvorak Hall in Prague, IRCAM Centre in Paris and Leningrad's Philharmonic Chamber Hall. The Trio has also played at various international festivals--the Spoleto Festival, Prague Spring Festival, the Vienna Spring Festival, Warsaw Autumn, the Grand Teton Music Festival and at numerous international clarinet festivals. Recently the Trio received a Creative Programming Award from Chamber Music America.

In addition to trios, the group has also commissioned Trio Concertos from Buhr, David, Ott, Skrowaczewski and Wallace and performed these with Vienna's Tonkunstler Orchestra, the Honolulu Symphony, Prague Chamber Soloists, Vancouver CBC Orchestra, Grand Rapids and Flint, Michigan Orchestras as well as with the National Orchestra of Spain and the Grand Teton Festival Orchestra. Most recently, Double Concertos for violin and clarinet by James Niblock (3 concerti), William Wallace, Dinos Constantinides, Paul Chihara, Ian Krouse and Richard Mills have been completed.

To complement its commissioning efforts the Verdehr Trio has embarked upon three projects to make the repertoire known and accessible to musicians everywhere. The first is a series of CD recordings of the new works written for the Trio: The Making of a Medium CD Series on Crystal Records (click here to purchase). The second and parallel project is The Making of a Medium Video Series consisting of half-hour programs featuring prominent composers and their works written for the Verdehr Trio. These programs include interviews and discussions by the composers as well as a complete performance of the work. Hosted by Martin Bookspan. These DVDs are available through Such Media, Inc. and can be purchased here. Series I includes composers Leslie Bassett, Alan Hovhaness, Karel Husa, Thea Musgrave, Ned Rorem and Gunther Schuller. Series II includes trios by Alexander Arutiunian, David Diamond, William Bolcom, Betsy Jolas, Libby Larsen, Philippe Manoury, Gian Carlo Menotti, Peter Sculthorpe, Peter Schickele, Joan Tower and Robert Mann. Hosted by Peter Schickele and Walter Verdehr.

The Verdehr Trio is in residence at Michigan State University. An article about the Trio appears in the new Groves Dictionary of Music and the Trio won an Adventuresome Programming Award from ASCAP and Chamber Music America. www.verdehr.com

Carina Nyberg Washington, Founder | clarinet (Season 4, 10)

Swedish clarinetist, Carina Nyberg Washington, received her Diploma in Orchestral Performance from the Royal Danish Academy of Music and her MM in Performance from the University of Memphis. Her principal teachers have included Michael Schlyter, Bendt Neuchs Sorensen, Jorgen Jensen, Lee Morgan, Daniel Gilbert, and James Gholson.While in Scandinavia, Washington was a freelance musician performing with such groups as the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Danish Philharmonic, the Copenhagen Cantata Orchestra, and the Norwegian State Army Band. Before moving to the United States in 2003, Washington served as co-principal clarinet with the Danish Radio Sinfonietta. With them, Washington performed on several recordings and performed at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.After moving to America, Washington served two seasons as co-principal clarinetist of the Missouri Chamber Orchestra and currently performs regularly with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the Eroica Ensemble. She has performed under the baton of such conductors as Curt Sanderling, Christopher Hogwood, and Richard Spano.As a chamber musician, Washington has participated in chamber music concerts throughout Europe and North America including venues in Paris, Stockholm, and Oslo. She has co-founded several chamber groups including the PRIZM Ensemble of Memphis. Washington recently joined the Memphis Woodwind Quintet. Washington has attended the International Festival Institute at Round Top, Texas, Thy Chamber Music Festival (Denmark), and traveled throughout Germany and Holland as the principal clarinetist of the Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra. As a soloist, Carina Washington has performed with the University of Memphis Symphony Orchestra and with the Södra Latin Symphony, Stockholm, as well as with the recently formed Wolf River Chamber Orchestra of Memphis. She has performed recitals across the United States and has given master classes at the University of Arkansas and Arkansas Tech. Washington has also been on the faculty at Camp Encore-Coda, Main.Washington has been awarded such prizes as the Lilla Alfvén Prize, Jacob Gades Stipend, Augustinus Fonden Grant, and the Månssons Legat Grant. She has performed at the 2008 International Clarinet Association (ICA) Annual Clarinet Fest in Kansas City, MO, and serve as faculty and artist at the International Chamber Music Festival in Stellenbosch, Southafrica. She can be heard on the Albany Records recording of music for bassoon by African-American composers featuring bassoonist Lecolion Washington, and on the Highwater Classics recording of German Lieder featuring soprano Susan Owen-Leinert.

Lecolion Washington, bassoon (Season 4, 10)

Lecolion Washington, Jr. joined the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music faculty at the University of Memphis in the fall of 2004. He is the bassoonist of the Memphis Woodwind Quintet and he serves as the co-coordinator of the University of Memphis annual double reed festival. Prior to joining the University of Memphis faculty, he was the bassoon professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Washington enjoys the versatility that he has as a performer. Based on auditions Washington has been offered positions with the Houston Grand Opera, the Shanghai Broadcasting Orchestra, and the Victoria (TX) Symphony Orchestra where he spent 3 seasons as assistant principal bassoon including one season as acting principal. Washington also served three seasons as co-principal bassoon of the Missouri Chamber Orchestra. He currently performs regularly with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the Iris Chamber Orchestra, and he has served as guest principal bassoon with the Arkansas Symphony and the Reno Philharmonic.Washington has performed chamber music with principal players from such orchestras as the New York Philharmonic, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. He has performed with the New York Chamber Ensemble and the North Country Chamber Players, and in 2004 the Orchestral Performance Program at the Manhattan School of Music invited him to perform on a chamber music concert of distinguished alumni. Washington serves on the faculty of the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival in South Africa where he performs, coaches chamber music, and teaches masterclasses along with distinguished faculty from all over the world.As a soloist Washington has performed concerti with the Round Top Festival Orchestra, the Meadows Symphony Orchestra at Southern Methodist University, the University of Memphis Wind Ensemble, and the University of Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Professor Washington has given recitals and master classes at schools around the country including the Eastman School of Music, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, the University of North Texas, and the University of Texas at Austin. He gave a lecture-recital on music for bassoon by African-American composers at the 2007 National Association for the Study and Performance of African American Music Conference, and he has performed at International Double Reed Conferences in 2005 and 2007. Washington attended the Texas Music Festival, the Cape May Music Festival, and the International Festival Institute at Round Top. He is married to Swedish clarinetist, Carina Nyberg Washington. In 2008 he released a CD of music for the bassoon by African-American composers on the Albany Records label which was recorded using a Fox 660.

Charles Wetherbee, violin (Season 9)

Violinist Charles Wetherbee has performed throughout the world, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. He has appeared at the Aspen Music Festival, the Garth Newell Center, the Hidden Valley Festival (CA), the Roycroft Chamber Festival (NY), the Nouvelle Academie International d’Été (Nice, France), the Olympic Music Festival (WA), the MidAmerica Music Festival (OH), and Strings in the Mountains (CO). A native of Buffalo, New York, Charles gave his first performances at age six. He made his debut with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under Symon Bychkov, and since then has performed with the National Symphony under Mstislav Rostropovitch, as well as the Japan Philharmonic, the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Bogota (Columbia), the National Repertory Orchestra, the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Mexico, the Symphony Orchestra of the Curtis Institute, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Virginia Symphony, among others. In 1988 he toured Asia, including performances in Seoul, Korea, as part of the Olympic Arts Festival. In the same year he also made his New York debut at Carnegie Hall to critical acclaim as a participant in the American Music Competition. In 1990, he traveled to the Persian Gulf to perform for the men and women of the armed services. The Washington Post called Wetherbee “a consummate artist... with flawless technique”. The Virginia Pilot said that he “... gave a performance of great conviction and emotion”. The Columbus Dispatch wrote “... a first rate showman... his double-stops, harmonics, and beautiful sound kept the audience spellbound”.

Charles is an artist dedicated to the music of today, as well as to the great literature of the past. In May of 2007, he was invited to St. Petersburg, Russia, to give the Russian premiere of Grammy Award winning composer John Corigliano’s Violin Concerto, and was subsequently invited back to perform the Beethoven concerto in the famous Shostakovich Philharmonic Hall. Charles has been heard nationwide on the NPR program “Performance Today”, featuring his performance of the Red Violin by Mr. Corigliano with Joanne Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2002, he gave the Latin American premier of the Red Violin, and was immediately re-engaged to return in 2003, for performances of the Szymanowski Violin Concerto. In November 2005, Charles gave the world premiere of the Violin Concerto by composer Jonathan Leshnoff with the Columbus Symphony, and then performed the concerto in Baltimore, MD with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. The Baltimore Sun wrote “This was very classy fiddle playing, with a golden, penetrating tone, sterling technique and strongly communicative phrasing.” Mr. Wetherbee has also performed the Leshnoff concerto in Mexico City, Mexico, with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Mexico; in Kyoto, Japan, with the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra; and in Breckenridge, Colorado, with the National Repertory Orchestra. Other world premieres include the Leshnoff Double Concerto for Violin and Viola with Michael Stern and the IRIS Chamber Orchestra, followed by performances in Duluth (MN), St. Petersburg (Russia), Orquesta de Extremadura (Spain), Buffalo (NY), and Boca Raton (FL). Charles will perform the world premiere of the violin concerto by Korine Fujiwara in the National Gallery, Washington, DC, as part of the 100th Anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival.

A devoted chamber musician, Charles is the first violinist of the Carpe Diem String Quartet, with whom he tours and performs regularly. With Carpe Diem he is featured on many different CDs, and also has recorded with Carpe Diem and guitarist Willy Porter as a member of the mealies. He was a founding member of Opus 3 piano trio, and with Opus 3 performed in the French, German, Austrian, and Dutch embassies, as well as the Terrace Theater of the Kennedy Center, the National Gallery, the Corcoran Gallery, Strathmore Hall, and throughout the eastern United States. He is also the Artistic Director of the Dercum Center for Arts and Humanities, Keystone, Colorado.

Charles is newly appointed to the violin faculty of the College of Music, University of Colorado at Boulder. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Aaron Rosand. Other mentors include Sylvia Rosenberg, Karen Tuttle, and Felix Galimir. As a recording artist, he is represented on Naxos, Seize the Music Records, Weasel Records, Vienna Modern Classics, as well as the Cascade labels, and was also featured on a recording with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra playing Massenet’s Meditation from Thaïs. Mr. Wetherbee has been the recipient of numerous honors, including the Ashworth Artist and the George Hardesty awards. Charles performs on a violin made by Kurt Widenhouse, and bows by Charles Espy and Benoit Rolland. Visit Carpe Diem String Quartet web site, www.cdsq.org

Scott Yoo, violin (Season 9)

Scott Yoo began his violin studies at the age of three and performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Boston Symphony at age twelve. He won first prize in both the Josef Gingold International Violin Competition and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, and received an Avery Fisher Career Grant. He is the Artistic Director of the Medellín Festicámara, a chamber music program for underprivileged young musicians. Mr. Yoo has appeared as a chamber musician with Bargemusic, Boston Chamber Music Society, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and the Kingston, Laurel, Las Vegas, New Hampshire, and Seattle Chamber Music Festivals. Mr. Yoo co-founded the Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, and currently serves as the Music Director of Festival Mozaic and Conductor of the Colorado College Summer Music Festival. As a guest conductor, Mr. Yoo has led the Colorado, Dallas, Indianapolis, San Francisco, and Utah Symphonies, the New World Symphony, the City of London Sinfonia and the English Chamber Orchestra, and the Seoul Philharmonic and Yomiuri Nippon Orchestras. In November he made his Carnegie Hall debut with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Yoo He has studied violin with Roman Totenberg, Albert Markov, Paul Kantor and Dorothy DeLay, and conducting with Michael Gilbert and Michael Tilson-Thomas. Mr. Yoo graduated from Harvard University. www.scott-yoo.com

Iren Zombor, violoncello (Season 10)

Iren Zombor is a native of Miskolc, Hungary. After attending music college in her hometown, she lived in Bratislava, Slovakia for two years, where she studied with the famous Slovak cellist, Joseph Podhoransky. She received her Masters of Music degree in cello performance from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She has been the member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since the fall of 1996, where she currently holds the Assistant Principal Cello position. Ms. Zombor has performed around the world with various orchestras as far as Eastern and Western Europe and Japan. In addition to her busy performance schedule, her passion has long been private teaching. She has taught students of all ages at all levels. She has been on the Rhodes College faculty since 2004.